Januzaj’s brilliance also an indictment of Man United

Poor David Moyes looks worried. His face drawn and pale, the problems continue to mount for the Scot who has overseen three miserable defeats so far this year.

Rumours abound that he will wield the axe this summer. Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Nani, Anderson, Alex Buttner and Javier Hernandez are reported to be on his list of must-sells.

Stories also broke this week that many of his players will face substantial pay cuts, anything of up to 25 per cent, should Manchester United do the unthinkable and finish outside of the Premier League’s top four.

A second straight defeat to their FA Cup conquerors Swansea City will further raise hopes among their rivals that United’s place in next season’s Champions League is indeed there for the taking.

Teenager Adnan Januzaj (picture) is the one ray of light Moyes and his men can cling to.

The midfielder sparkled in their midweek loss to Sunderland in the Capital One Cup and should be an automatic starter tomorrow morning having missed last weekend’s debacle against the Swans. Balanced, confident and able to score or create inside the final third, he has become invaluable.

The return of strikers Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie cannot come quickly enough, but for now, most of Moyes’ hopes are pinned on a kid who has made only 14 appearances.

What that says about the rest of the side is really quite damning.

ADRIAN CLARKE