Alert: The Adnan Januzaj Thread!!!!

made me lol.

 

If he had joined ahead of the final 2 qualifying ties (when Kompany got injured a spot opened up for him) or in one of the friendlies (at least the one in March) ... he would have had much better odds of going to Brazil ... Wilmots likes to reward players for past perfomances ... unsure if Adnan can still get into the final 23.

 

A part of me wishes he'd chosen a "smaller" nation so that he could focus on United. This Belgium team is picking up clout like a snowball rolling down a mountain.

 

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Moyes, Woodward and Co. atleast did a good job with regards to him.

 

The more recognized he is the better commercially and even footballing wise for us

 

Simons, I guess.

 

Reportedly Januzaj will be used as a sub for KDB (after leaving Chelsea he became a starter at Wolfsburg and has been in top form lately) ... Lukaku and Hazard to complete our front line. At the start of this season Bakkali (PSV) & Y.F-C (Monaco) were impressive but they got injured and have been in a slump ... very unlikely that they would make the squad. You could say that Wilmots opted for more attacking options ... and e.g. Simons (Club Brugge), Nainggolan (Roma) had to miss out.

 

I'm just opposed to any United players having to play in the summer, but so be it. Good for him.

 

Awesome for the boy. Well deserved.

 

Negative.

 

More pt is good for Adnan. As an aside, Belgium is tremendously overrated.

 

Compared to what?

 

Wilmots corrected the journo: nothing changes for Januzaj though (remains a sub) ... so if he's used our front line would look like this: Januzaj - Lukaku - Hazard (when the situation demands it, interchanging with Hazard in a 4-3-3). Wilmots also praised Januzaj ... as an example he mentioned Adnan's performance against Hull.

 

who would the middle 3 be in the 4-3-3?

that front line might not be so bad though.

really looking forward to watching this team play.

 

i'd be surprised if adnan actually touches the pitch during the world cup.

the front 6 will be: fellaini - witsel - defour; de bruyne - lukaku - hazard with dembele, mirallas and mertens as the subs.

 

you lost me at the bolded bit. not sure what the hell you wrote after that.

 

Wilmots told "Het Nieuwsblad" that he views KDB as a midfielder (since his move to Wolfsburg) and Adnan would be used on the flanks.

 

LOL ... Fellaini performs much much much better for the Belgian Red Devils ... Witsel is the only player that is a certainty ... the other 2 depend on tactical choices.

 

to @Diable Rouge point. i would be surprised too if he was a starter playing every minute. but i do expect him to - enough to be considered significant.

even as a sub, it is a good option to bring off the bench.

probably of all the teams i am looking forward to belgium playing than any other. too bad bentekers is out

 

even if used on the flanks, he'd have to beat out mirallas (a veteran of the NT) and mertens coming off an excellent season at napoli - hazard is of course untouchable on the left.

@J'can fellaini usually plays when fit for the NT and is quite effective at bursting forward from deep positions. he's not asked to retain possession and create passing lanes, the always excellent witsel is the one that makes things tick. wilmots was recently quoted as saying that fellaini offers something that's not duplicated on the team.

 

I think Wilmots will alternate between two line-ups, depending on the opponent.

The counterattacking line-up when we play opponents who are better and/or play a more open game:



The line-up if the priority is to dominate possession and create chances:



If Januzaj features, it'll probably be as a sub for the second formation.

 

performance

 

I was surprised by Origi's inclusion. Would have preferred Nainggolan and play with a false nine but you'll have a very interactive team, or include Bakkali who is more likely to produce something special than Origi.