Adnan Januzaj reminded Manchester United fans of his class as his 29th-minute goal earned a 1-0 win at Aston Villa and propelled them, after two humdrum triumphs, to the top of the table last night.
The precocious 20-year-old Belgian had been linked with a loan move away from Old Trafford this summer but manager Louis van Gaal, who has said he is not for sale, was rewarded after giving the youngster a place in the Premier League side’s starting line-up.
Januzaj, who came in for Ashley Young in the only change to the team that beat Tottenham Hotspur last week, ensured that a second 1-0 victory for United, despite another fairly ordinary performance, gave the 20-times champions a maximum six points.
United were offered the chance of a head start over their title rivals with a rare Friday evening kick-off after West Midlands Police requested the change because an English Defence League march is planned in nearby Walsall today.