Adnan Januzaj withdrawn from Manchester United U21 side as Louis van Gaal plots return

Reports, last night, that the Belgian was withdrawn from U21 action due to fitness concerns were wide of the mark.

Louis van Gaal is set to hand Adnan Januzaj a chance to prove the Borussia Dortmund doubters wrong. The Dutchman, who loaned Januzaj to the Bundesliga outfit, withdrew Januzaj from a Monday night U21 game against Reading. Initially, it was reported that the 20-year-old was still not up to the grade, fitness-wise, after his six months abroad but it seems van Gaal had bigger plans. Januzaj has now been included in United's matchday squad for this evening's Premier League encounter with Newcastle United at St James' Park. Van Gaal may be required to do some further juggling to his midfield following the knee injury sustained by Bastian Schweinsteiger at the weekend. Michael Carrick is not yet ready to return but van Gaal should be able to call on Morgan Schneiderlin for the away date. Juan Mata and Ander Herrera were withdrawn around the hour mark of United's turgid 1-0 FA Cup win over Sheffield United. A radical change-up would see Mata switched inside to partner Schneiderlin with Memphis Depay and Januzaj on the wings. https://youtu.be/ohrf4aIIZgA