Real Sociedad winger Adnan Januzaj promises to dedicate first goal to Louis Van Gaal after their 'difficult' relationship at Manchester United

  • Adnan Januzaj was denied many first team chances under Louis Van Gaal
  • He had a bright start at Old Trafford under David Moyes but has joined Sociedad
  • Januzaj wnt on loan to Borussia Dortmund and Sunderland without success

Adnan Januzaj says he will 'dedicate' his first Real Sociedad goal to his former Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal after they endured a tempestuous relationship.

Januzaj has joined the La Liga side for £8million this summer, although United have included a buy-back clause for the winger.

The 22-year-old had a bright start at Old Trafford under David Moyes, but was denied many first team chances under Van Gaal, and admits they had a poor relationship off the pitch. 

Adnan Januzaj says he will 'dedicate' his first Real Sociedad goal to his ex-boss Louis Van Gaal

The 22-year-old was denied many first team chances under Van Gaal and left on loan twice

The 22-year-old was denied many first team chances under Van Gaal and left on loan twice

Januzaj had a bright start at Old Trafford under David Moyes but has joined Sociedad for £8m

Januzaj had a bright start at Old Trafford under David Moyes but has joined Sociedad for £8m

Januzaj told AS: 'If I score a goal I will dedicate it to Van Gaal. I don't want to talk about him but everyone knows how many problems I had with him. 


'We didn't have the best of rapports. It wasn't easy, it's very frustrating and difficult when you are in a situation like that.'

Januzaj is now keen to play regular first team football at Sociedad and prove his doubters wrong after a frustrating couple of seasons. 

He has spent the last two years on loan at Borussia Dortmund and Sunderland - he struggled for game time at the former and suffered relegation with the latter.

Januzaj was initially sent on loan to Borussia Dortmund by Van Gaal but struggled for games

Januzaj was initially sent on loan to Borussia Dortmund by Van Gaal but struggled for games

The winger then played under Moyes at Sunderland last season, and suffered relegation

The winger then played under Moyes at Sunderland last season, and suffered relegation

He said: 'I want to prove that I'm a good player. There have been many comments on my performance and my quality, whether I have really fulfilled those expectations that were on me.

'I think it's often people who do not understand football who tend to make such criticisms. The football people know how to understand the difficulties I have had in my career, being a very young player. 

'Many times I did not play as a starter, it is hard to stand out without some kind of continuity, and the manager put me in positions where I could not play, where I had little experience. I hope to be able to silence one day all those people who criticised me.'