MANCHESTER UNITED teenager Adnan Januzaj has brought the curtain down on the fevered speculation over his international future by pledging his allegiance to Belgium ahead of this summer's World Cup. Coach Marc Wilmots announced on Twitter that Januzaj had chosen to represent Belgium, whose national team share a nickname, the Red Devils, with his club side. The talented midfielder, whose emergence for Manchester United this season has been one of the few positives to emerge from David Moyes's reign at Old Trafford, was eligible to play for several countries and had sparked a scamble among football associations across Europe. The 19-year-old was born in Brussels to Kosovan-Albanian parents and joined United in 2011. He could have played for Kosovo, Albania, Turkey or Serbia rather than Belgium. The English FA were also interested in his status and he could have qualified for England through residency by remaining in the Premier League until 2016, although the issue sparked debate over nationality rules and agreements between the home nations. That issue has been put to bed and Januzaj could now end up playing for Belgium at the World Cup in Brazil, says the BBC. Belgium already boast an array of stars including Vincent Kompany, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku and have been tipped as one of the tournament's dark horses. Wilmots will reveal if he has found room for Januzaj when he announces his provisional squad next month. However, "the Manchester United teenager has been given no guarantees that he will be selected", reports The Guardian. "A number of injuries to contenders for the Belgium squad in recent weeks, including Kevin Mirallas of Everton and Aston Villa's Christian Benteke, could increase his chances of selection for the World Cup, although Wilmots already has a wealth of alternative options for their first World Cup campaign since 2002," it adds. Although he has "snubbed" England, not everyone is disappointed. "The news will please some United officials, who had been concerned at the prospect of Januzaj picking England and the subsequent debate such a move would have sparked," reports the Daily Telegraph.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
How much of a blow is ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu?Today's Big Question Action by Hague court damages Israel's narrative that Gaza conflict is a war between 'good and evil'
-
UK gynaecological care crisis: why thousands of women are left in painThe Explainer Waiting times have tripled over the past decade thanks to lack of prioritisation or funding for women's health
-
'The Hum': the real-life noise behind The ListenersIn The Spotlight Can some of us also hear the disturbing sound that plagues characters in the hit TV show – and where is it coming from?
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten HagTalking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
-
Man Utd win the Carabao Cup: how Erik ten Hag has ‘transformed’ the Red Devilsfeature United lifted their first silverware since 2017 after beating Newcastle at Wembley
-
Jim Ratcliffe: petrochemical billionaire turned Man Utd bidderWhy Everyone’s Talking About The Ineos owner is the first to publicly bid for the 13-time Premier League winners
-
Reactions to Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘explosive’ interview with Piers Morganfeature Portugal captain feels ‘betrayed’ by Man Utd and believes he’s being forced out of the club
-
What next for Cristiano Ronaldo? How the relationship with Man Utd turned sour
Under the Radar Portugal star has ‘almost certainly’ played his last game for United as he is dropped for Chelsea clash
-
Manchester United: does Erik ten Hag have the ‘golden touch’?feature Prevailing mood at Old Trafford was reminiscent of ‘how it felt during the golden years of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign’
