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Adnan Januzaj provided Louis van Gaal with food for thought as he netted a hat-trick for Manchester United’s Under-21s in a 4-0 win over Sunderland.

The Belgian was the standout player for the young Reds, while Luke Shaw also provided an assist in a 45-minute run-out as he stepped up his return from injury.

Warren Joyce was able to call on plenty of experience for the game at Old Trafford, with Anderson also included in his starting XI.

But it was Januzaj, still 18 months from his 21st birthday, who made an immediate mark on proceedings - and looked a cut above throughout.

The winger was on the scoresheet 19 minutes in as he exchanged passes with Will Keane before coolly finding the far corner of the goal inside the box.

Ander Pereira then got in on the act moments later, collecting Luke Shaw’s pinpoint cross and half-volleying home.

Januzaj refused to be upstaged, however, and doubled his tally in the 27th minute thanks to another Keane assist and a calm finish in the box.

United took their 3-0 lead into the break but struggled to hit the heights of the first half during the second period as Sunderland upped their game to even the contest up.

Ben Amos was forced into a brilliant save when Duncan Watmore broke through, while Anderson almost made it four as he clipped the post.

But the night undoubtedly belonged to Januzaj, and he underlined that fact by turning home a cut-back to grab his hat-trick seven minutes from time.

United: Amos, Janko, Shaw (Pearson, 45), McNair, Thorpe, Vermijl, Harrop, Anderson (Rothwell, 71), W.Keane, A.Pereira, Januzaj (Weir, 85).