Adnan Januzaj follows in the footsteps of Wayne Rooney with prestigious nomination in SPOTY

Published on December 3rd, 2013 | by samp

Adnan Januzaj has been named on a ten man short list for the 2013 Young Sports Personality of the Year Award.

The 18-year-old’s inclusion comes off the back of a meteoric rise to first team football at Manchester United from the Under-18s to a first team spot within just 18 months.

Although it is quite a surprise to see him on the list after so little first team football, he is certainly one of the most talented youngsters plying their trade in English sport and the panel saw fit to include him on the short list.

Previously, Wayne Rooney was named YSPOTY in 2002 and while it is unlikely that Januzaj will win the award due to the achievements of some of the other nominees, it is an achievement in itself to be named on the list.
Of course, this isn’t the first prestigious award that Januzaj has been nominated for this season after he was included in the short list for the Golden Boy award, given to the most talented youngster in Europe.
Januzaj’s stock is continually rising both inside and outside of Old Trafford, and he has already created an air of expectation whenever he has the ball at his feet which is a testament to his ability.

David Moyes has stayed true to his word that he wouldn’t let him fall under too much pressure too soon but Januzaj has never faltered once at the start of what is set to be a fantastic career.