Here to stay! Januzaj handed five-year deal as United aim to tie down sought-after teen



Manchester United are on the brink of sealing a new, five-year deal that will tie young starlet Adnan Januzaj to the club until 2018.



The 18-year-old Belgian’s current deal is set to expire at the end of this season and Januzaj had been attracting the attention of Juventus, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.



New United manager David Moyes has been impressed by the talent and maturity of Januzaj and he has ensured that the club have acted quickly to keep the forward at Old Trafford.

Talented: Manchester United are preparing to keep Januzaj for the long-haul with a five-year contract

Januzaj is already one of the highest earning youngsters at Old Trafford and Sportsmail understands that United are putting the finishing touches to a new deal that will recognise the emergence of Januzaj as United’s most exciting young talent after an impressive pre-season under new manager David Moyes.



Januzaj, along with fellow youngster Jesse Lingard, was one of the shining lights on United’s tour of Asia and Australia and the young Belgian dazzled Old Trafford with his quick feet and powerful shot during Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial against Sevilla earlier this month.



Although Januzaj appears to be on the verge of breaking into the United first-team - he also appeared in the Community Shield win over Wigan - Sportsmail understands that it is United’s preference to allow the player to leave on loan this season to continue his development.

First team action: David Moyes has been impressed by the youngster, just as Sir Alex Ferguson was

Academy stars: Jesse Lingard is another highly rated player at United, appearing on their pre-season tour

There is a desire at United to see Januzaj in the Premier League but a loan move to elsewhere in the top-flight will only be granted if the forward is offered guarantees of regular, first-team football. The likelihood is therefore that Januzaj will spend this season at a leading Championship club.



Sir Alex Ferguson was an admirer of the Belgian and Januzaj was handed a place on the substitute’s bench for the former manager’s final game in charge of Manchester United at West Brom in May.



Ferguson said: ‘Adnan is a beautifully balanced player. He’s only 18 and still to grow into his frame. But he has good balance, good acceleration and he’s a very good technical player.’

Experience needed: Meanwhile, Nick Powell could be sent on loan

Meanwhile, another of United’s brightest young prospects, Nick Powell, will be allowed to leave the club on loan this season.

