Manchester United Could Use Adnan Januzaj as Bait to Land Seamus Coleman or Marquinhos in Summer

​Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal wanted to keep Adnan Januzaj this January, telling the Belgian teenager to prove himself worthy of a place in the team. However, if he can't, the old Trafford youngster could soon find himself used as bargaining tool as the club looks to bring in top targets in the summer.

The Manchester Evening News reports that with Januzaj's long term future at United still uncertain, van Gaal could still sanction his departure if it means being able to bring in either Seamus Coleman or Marquinhos, from Everton and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.

Both clubs expressed interest in taking Januzaj during the transfer window before being knocked back. However, things could change if United's notoriously cutthroat boss is not sufficiently impressed with the player by the time the summer window opens. 

The chance to negotiate a better deal for either Coleman or Marquinhos could also make losing the 19-year-old yet more appealing.

Januzaj represented one of the most promising talents to emerge from the club's famed youth academy when he made his debut under David Moyes last season, but has since struggled to make his mark this season.

He recently also admitted that he is struggling to play in van Gaal's philosophy, especially in a 3-5-2 formation, in a surprisingly frank interview with United's official matchday programme.

"My favourite position is as a no.10 or a winger. The system really can make it more difficult for me to play there, but I have to keep working. There are lots of players here and I can play in different roles - it's just a case of taking my opportunities," he said.