Adnan Januzaj was 18-years-old when he first appeared for Manchester United. He won the Community Shield, then scored twice on his first start, then signed a five-year contract.

He was handed the No 11 shirt - the one that belonged to Ryan Giggs - and even England were courting the new kid on the block. 'We have our eyes on him,' said Roy Hodgson.

Now, he's 22, out of favour in Manchester, on loan at Sunderland, and being booed by his own supporters amid an unavoidable crash towards the Championship. So, what next?

Adnan Januzaj has struggled to live up to his potential since he burst on to the scene in 2013

Januzaj is currently on loan at Sunderland, where he has made 21 league appearances

Januzaj scored twice as United beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in October 2013

There is a video dedicated to Januzaj on YouTube with the title: 'The New King.' It was uploaded in December 2013 - slap-bang in the middle of his breakthrough season under David Moyes at United.

The two are back together at Sunderland but in free fall. The North East club are circling the drain and not even a Sam Allardyce-esque escape appears doable.

Moyes said last week that Sunderland had to win one of their next two matches to stand a chance of survival. They then went on to lose 1-0 to Watford and 2-0 to Leicester.

It was at Vicarage Road when Januzaj was removed in the 70th minute to a chorus of jeers. Not from those in the Watford section, but from those in Sunderland's.

After scoring a brace on his debut - the Belgian was tied down to a long term deal at United

Januzaj tucks in his equalising goal to make it 1-1 against Sunderland to boost manager Moyes

At the King Power Stadium against Leicester, he was an unused substitute.

Januzaj's future is uncertain - though Jose Mourinho says he knows he has in store for the 22-year-old.

'I have decided but I am not telling you,' the Portuguese said at his Friday press conference, promoting a guessing game.

It is suspected Januzaj will be sold, with his United contract up in 12 months. He is not guaranteed a game at Sunderland and so, in all likelihood, will not meet Mourinho's expectations either.

Especially not after two substandard loan spells.

It was Louis van Gaal who sent him on his a season-long loan to Borussia Dortmund after deciding the player was not equipped to play a part in the first team at United.

Under Thomas Tuchel in Dortmund, though, things went from bad to worse.

Januzaj's only goal this campaign was in August during the EFL Cup match with Shrewsbury

This is the winger's second loan spell after an unsuccessful period with Borussia Dortmund

SUPER STAT Adnan Januzaj has not scored in 21 Premier League appearances this season. Advertisement

The Belgian appeared only six times in the Bundesliga – with zero starts – and was badly criticised by his temporary coach. It is fair to say Tuchel will not act as a reference on Januzaj's CV.

'It is a pity he did not show the desire and attitude you need to progress at his age,' Tuchel said.

'My feeling was that he never was completely with us, that a part of him always stayed in Manchester and he compared everything here with United. We were not able to help him to shake that off.'

There was no release clause inserted in Januzaj's loan contract at Dortmund when it was signed. Instead both clubs agreed it was best if they just terminated the deal.

He returned to Manchester and played a total of 17 minutes between January and May.

Januzaj was booed by his own fans at Watford but Moyes has backed him to change opinions

Moyes' Sunderland remain rock bottom after defeats by Watford and Leicester this week

Life under Louis van Gaal was bad for Januzaj. Life under Jose Mourinho started no better because again, he was sent away on another season-long loan. This time to Sunderland.

Much has been made of how Marcus Rashford has not scored in the Premier League since September. Januzaj has not scored once this season, in 21 appearances.

It has led the majority of Sunderland supporters to say they do not want to see him sign a permanent deal, even if they do drop down to the Championship.

The silver lining, of course, is his age. At Under 21 level for United he showed glimpses of being a genuine talent - in 2013, at the age of 18, he was named the Reserve Player of the Year.

Sunderland's struggles have coincided with those of Januzaj whose career has nosedived

Januzaj's future is uncertain but Jose Mourinho is unlikely to keep him at Old Trafford

Having turned 22 in February, Januzaj has to start finding that same form.

He is ineligible for Manchester United's trip to Sunderland on Sunday and so will not get a chance to impress his parent club - or Mourinho.

Week by week, it is looking likelier that United will be searching for buyers for their Belgium international this summer, in a bid to make some last-minute money before losing him for free.

What their asking price is, and who will pay millions for the largely unproven Premier League player, remains to be seen.