David Moyes: Adnan Januzaj will become one of the best

David Moyes has leapt to the defence of Adnan Januzaj and has insisted that the youngster could become one of Manchester United’s club greats.

Januzaj has come under fire of late following a succession of bookings for diving, making him the second most cautioned player for simulation behind Gareth bale in Premier League history.

The 18-year-old picked up his third booking in his debut season against Tottenham Hotspur as he went down under a Danny Rose challenge and has earned himself a reputation for attempting to con referees already.

Moyes has already criticised Ashley Young for diving this season, and intended to speak to Januzaj about this part of his game, but felt his latest indiscretion was unfair.

The United manager said, “I am always the first to come out and say I won’t have players diving and I will deal with it.

“In the same breath I am going to protect them when I think it’s wrong. I thought it was wrong the other night.”

Moyes hopes that such a reputation will not bring a level of negativity in the public’s view of his teenage prodigy and has backed Januzaj to follow in the footsteps of former United great Cristiano Ronaldo, who overcame his diving rep to win over the neutrals with a series of scintillating displays to draw focus back onto his abilities.

“Adnan is such a talented footballer. I have no doubt he will go on to be one of the best players playing in this country for a long time and probably at Manchester United

“I remember when Ronaldo came over, a lot of people said the same thing about him.

“Not for a minute would I try to compare him to Ronaldo because of how good he is. But the boy will get better. He will learn. He will understand the game more.

“What he is doing at the moment is making a contribution in games as a footballer.”

Januzaj has already made 14 league appearances since David Moyes took charge and is expected to have a big future in the game if he can continue to make the impact he already has in his debut season, having netted three Premier League goals already.