Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes that Adnan Januzaj could play as a striker next season after producing an impressive performance in last week's friendly victory against Barcelona.

A superb strike from the 20-year-old helped the Red Devils secure a 3-1 victory over the Catalan club in California as Louis van Gaal's side continue to impress ahead of the forthcoming Premier League campaign.

Januzaj was introduced as a second half substitute but did not need long to make his mark, swivelling on a through ball and tucking a composed left footed finish into the bottom corner of the net.

Although the Belgian youngster has often been used as a wide midfielder during his Old Trafford career thus far, Van Gaal deployed the youngster in a central role behind the side's main striker versus the Champions League holders.

The Dutchman is short of options in the final third after offloading Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie, but was impressed with Januzaj's performance and hinted that he could decide to use the youngster in a similar role in the future.

"I have given him a chance in this [striker's] position and you have to look if he can do that or not," Van Gaal said.

"But he has a lot of quality and against Barcelona he showed it for the first time.

Who will be Manchester United's marquee signing this summer? 7 show all Who will be Manchester United's marquee signing this summer? 1/7 Thomas Muller Described as priceless by his chairman at the weekend, Muller is no stranger to Van Gaal's methods having played under him for Bayern. A rangy forward with an uncanny ability to always pop up in the right place, he has been a star of two successive World Cup's by the age of just 25. He many not possess the direct threat of a Ronaldo, but would undoubtedly vastly improve United's attacking options. GETTY 2/7 Cristiano Ronaldo The most obvious target but probably the hardest to secure. Ronaldo made his name as a Manchester United player in a terrific six-year spell as David Beckham's heir apparent in the number seven shirt. Talk of a return from Madrid - where he has established himself as one of the world's two best players - has never really gone away and United's best chance may come in the form of his advancing years. Ronaldo is now 30 and Madrid may reach a point when they think their man is worth as much as he is ever going to be, and decide to cash in. Getty 3/7 Gareth Bale Another Real man who continues to be linked with Old Trafford, Wales international Bale endured a difficult second season in the Spanish capital after scoring in a victorious Champions League final in the first. Boos from the Madrid fans gave the impression all was not well, and his pace and direct style would certainly fit in with what United and their fans crave. There has been no suggestion of Real wanting to sell, though, and Bale has been a firm fixture throughout their pre-season commitments. GERARD JULIEN/AFP/Getty Images 4/7 Harry Kane Kane is certainly not a free-spirited player but his ability to make something out of nothing in the penalty area would appeal to many United fans. He scored 32 goals for club and country in a break-out season last term and, although Tottenham have shown no willingness to sell, the Old Trafford club would currently offer Kane a higher level of football to play at. Getty 5/7 Zlatan Ibrahimovic The Swedish striker is far from everybody's cup of tea, but could bring a wealth of experience to the Old Trafford table. Sparks would be likely to fly in regards to his relationship with Louis van Gaal, but the pair could also produce something special together. However, it now seems to be unlikely that the front man will be persuaded to leave the French capital this summer after he admitted that he expects to stay at the Parc des Princes. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images 6/7 Pedro Perhaps the easiest of the deals to be done, Barcelona forward Pedro has been linked with United all summer and a deal seems possible. Pedro has found opportunities in Barca's frontline harder to come by since the arrival of Luis Suarez and his pace and eye for a goal would vastly increase United's options. Barcelona's forward Pedro Rodriguez celebrates his goal during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Cordoba CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on December 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ JOSEP LAGO (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Ima 7/7 Edinson Cavani The Paris Saint-Germain and Uruguay striker continues to divide opinions. Few can question his form at Napoli earlier in his career but he has only displayed his talent in glimpses on the big stage in Ligue 1. Yet the forward's power and presence could prove to be the perfect foil for the smaller, more technically sound players within United's squad. Laurent Blanc would be eager to recoup a large proportion of the £50 million PSG paid for the front man's services two years ago, which may prove to be too costly for Van Gaal. Getty 1/7 Thomas Muller Described as priceless by his chairman at the weekend, Muller is no stranger to Van Gaal's methods having played under him for Bayern. A rangy forward with an uncanny ability to always pop up in the right place, he has been a star of two successive World Cup's by the age of just 25. He many not possess the direct threat of a Ronaldo, but would undoubtedly vastly improve United's attacking options. GETTY 2/7 Cristiano Ronaldo The most obvious target but probably the hardest to secure. Ronaldo made his name as a Manchester United player in a terrific six-year spell as David Beckham's heir apparent in the number seven shirt. Talk of a return from Madrid - where he has established himself as one of the world's two best players - has never really gone away and United's best chance may come in the form of his advancing years. Ronaldo is now 30 and Madrid may reach a point when they think their man is worth as much as he is ever going to be, and decide to cash in. Getty 3/7 Gareth Bale Another Real man who continues to be linked with Old Trafford, Wales international Bale endured a difficult second season in the Spanish capital after scoring in a victorious Champions League final in the first. Boos from the Madrid fans gave the impression all was not well, and his pace and direct style would certainly fit in with what United and their fans crave. There has been no suggestion of Real wanting to sell, though, and Bale has been a firm fixture throughout their pre-season commitments. GERARD JULIEN/AFP/Getty Images 4/7 Harry Kane Kane is certainly not a free-spirited player but his ability to make something out of nothing in the penalty area would appeal to many United fans. He scored 32 goals for club and country in a break-out season last term and, although Tottenham have shown no willingness to sell, the Old Trafford club would currently offer Kane a higher level of football to play at. Getty 5/7 Zlatan Ibrahimovic The Swedish striker is far from everybody's cup of tea, but could bring a wealth of experience to the Old Trafford table. Sparks would be likely to fly in regards to his relationship with Louis van Gaal, but the pair could also produce something special together. However, it now seems to be unlikely that the front man will be persuaded to leave the French capital this summer after he admitted that he expects to stay at the Parc des Princes. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images 6/7 Pedro Perhaps the easiest of the deals to be done, Barcelona forward Pedro has been linked with United all summer and a deal seems possible. Pedro has found opportunities in Barca's frontline harder to come by since the arrival of Luis Suarez and his pace and eye for a goal would vastly increase United's options. Barcelona's forward Pedro Rodriguez celebrates his goal during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Cordoba CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on December 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ JOSEP LAGO (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Ima 7/7 Edinson Cavani The Paris Saint-Germain and Uruguay striker continues to divide opinions. Few can question his form at Napoli earlier in his career but he has only displayed his talent in glimpses on the big stage in Ligue 1. Yet the forward's power and presence could prove to be the perfect foil for the smaller, more technically sound players within United's squad. Laurent Blanc would be eager to recoup a large proportion of the £50 million PSG paid for the front man's services two years ago, which may prove to be too costly for Van Gaal. Getty

Januzaj burst into the United first team during David Moyes' ill fated spell in charge, but struggled for regular game time last term and made just seven starts in the top flight.

Van Gaal's preferred formation restricted the need for wingers last season but he now appears to be leaning towards a 4-2-3-1 set up.