Jose Mourinho has declared that Adnan Januzaj has a future under him at Manchester United, despite sending him on loan to Sunderland .

The 21-year-old was a breakout star for United two seasons ago but has since failed to show the same quality and consistency that saw him hailed a future Old Trafford star.

But while the Belgian has been allowed to join former boss David Moyes for the season, Mourinho said Januzaj is very much a part of his plans.

“We think he is a talented player but to be in the same squad as our players would mean not many matches," Mourinho said at a press conference on Friday.

Adnan Januzaj has joined former boss David Moyes on loan at Sunderland (
Image:
Lintao Zhang)
Jose Mourinho said he wants the Belgian winger back at the end of the season (
Image:
GETTY)

“We cannot be selfish, we have to think about the players and he is in the right place with a manager that likes him.

“We want him back.”

Januzaj fell out of favour at United under Louis van Gaal and was sent on loan to Dortmund where he barely featured before returning to play in United's reserves.

The United boss admitted Januzaj would not get much game time in his current squad (
Image:
GETTY)

Van Gaal's successor clearly wasn't impressed with the way the 21-year-old was handled last campaign and managed a fairly clear dig at the Dutchman in his press conference on Friday.

“He fits in my plans, that’s why he is on loan in the Premier League," said Mourinho.

"If he doesn’t fit then we don’t care, we send him to Dortmund."

David Moyes said the Belgian would be available for selection for Saturday's clash with Manchester City and was excited to work with the winger again.

Mourinho appeared to aim a dig at Louis van Gaal over Januzaj's failed Dortmund loan move (
Image:
Sascha Steinbach)

“Adnan needs to come and do the business,” said Moyes. “He will give us a different variation because he can play in two or three different roles, but I have to get him back to the level he was at two years ago.

“He will get plenty of opportunities with us and I believe in him because he’s one of the finest young talents I’ve ever seen, and he was up there with Wayne Rooney when he was an 18-year-old.”

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