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Adnan Januzaj is being punished by Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal for showboating in an Under-21 match, it's claimed.
The Belgium international has hardly featured this year and reports today offer a suggestion as to why the forward is being frozen out of the first-team picture.
It's claimed that Januzaj took part in a private dual with team-mate Andreas Pereira during an Under-21 fixture against Sunderland on January 25. The pair both tried, unsuccessfully, to score directly from corners.
Mark Ogden - Jose Mourinho 'perfect' for Man Utd Staff were reportedly unimpressed and told Van Gaal of the incident. Since that match, Januzaj has featured in the first-team just once - as an 80th minute substitute.
Show all 22 1 /22Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings MANCHESTER UNITED - David De Gea: 6 out of 10 Another clean sheet for him. Rarely called into action but was quick off his line in the first half to deny Lukaku a chance on goal.
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Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Matteo Darmian: 6 out of 10 Created a number of chances for United in the first half with his deliveries into the box but sat back as the game went on.
2016 Manchester United FC
Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Chris Smalling: 6 out of 10 Came out on top in his battle against Lukaku and looked comfortable under the pressure of the set-piece.
Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Daley Blind: 7 out of 10 Strong defensive performance both on the ground and in the air. Made a series of early important interceptions and challenges to deny Everton goal-scoring chances.
2016 Manchester United FC
Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Marcos Rojo: 5 out of 10 Substituted at half time despite enjoying a lively first half in which he pushed on well to give United more options out wide.
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Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Michael Carrick: 5 out of 10 Lasted up to the hour at which point he was replaced by Herrera. Struggling to find his form following his absence from the first team.
2016 Manchester United FC
Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Juan Mata: 6 out of 10 A quiet first half but he warmed up as the game went on. Pulled the strings in United’s later attacks and created one of his side’s best chances on goal.
2016 Manchester United FC
Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Jesse Lingard: 6 out of 10 One of few United players who created chances for his team. Got in the right positions and was dangerous in and around the box.
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Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Morgan Schneiderlin: 6 out of 10 Ran United’s midfield well and sat comfortably just in front of the back four. Composed under pressure but the search for his first goal since October goes on.
2016 Manchester United FC
Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Antony Martial: 7 out of 10 The only player giving United any real movement throughout the entirety of the match. His hard-running paid off with a well taken goal in the second half.
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Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Marcus Rashford: 6 out 10 Showed flairs of genuine creativity at times, which bodes well for the future, but failed to truly influence the course of the game.
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Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings EVERTON - Joel Robles: 5 out of 10 Wasn’t really tested for much of the match and was slightly too risky with some of his decision-making. Will have felt he could have done better with United’s goal.
2016 Manchester United FC
Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Seamus Coleman: 6 out of 10 Did well to get forward at times but left too much space in behind him when he did. Rocky start but settled into the game.
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Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings John Stones: 6 out of 10 A more cautious and considered performance. Less hesitant on the ball and made a well-timed challenge on Martial in the first half to deny United an early goal.
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Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Phil Jagielka: 7 out 10 Led Everton from the back with a number of big tackles and strong defensive performance in the air. Also came closest to equalising with his headed attempt on goal that crashed off the bar.
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Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Leighton Baines: 6 out of 10 Average at best though his set-pieces were on point for the vast majority of the match.
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Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings James McCarthy: 6 out of 10 Tracked back well to lend defensive cover when the back four was caught out by United’s long balls over the top.
Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Ross Barkley: 5 out of 10 In too much of rush for most of the game. Forced passes that weren’t on and was repeatedly caught in possession. Careless.
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Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Tom Cleverley: 5 out of 10 Will have been disappointed with his performance. Looked out of his depth at times and, like Barkley, was guilty of giving away possession in dangerous positions.
Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Gerard Deulofeu: 5 out of 10 A lively start from him in which he proved a handful for Darmian particularly in the first 20 minutes. Ended up losing interest though and was subbed off at the hour mark.
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Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Romelu Lukaku: 6 out of 10 Too isolated to impact the course of the game. Failed to link up with his team-mates at times but did manage to hold up the ball brilliantly when he got it.
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Manchester United 1 Everton 0 player ratings Aaron Lennon: 4 out of 10 Went missing for most of the match. Ineffective and far too quiet. Might as well have not been there.
2016 Manchester United FC
It's been a dreadful season for Januzaj, who a couple of years ago was considered one of the brightest prospects in world football. Van Gaal permitted the 21-year-old to go on loan to Borussia Dortmund for the season, but after failing to make an impact in the Bundesliga, returned to Old Trafford. Aside from that appearance against Arsenal, Januzaj has played just one other game for Manchester United, a four-minute substitute appearance against Southampton.
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