Thought Januzaj was the stand-out starlet this season? Think again! Here's how Sterling has outshone United's ray of light By CRAIG HOPE - Daily Mail Adnan Januzaj is the lone ray of light amid the dark clouds gathering over Old Trafford right now. That they have become so reliant on an 18-year-old in his first season of professional football serves to highlight their demise. Their woes, however, are brought into even sharper focus when the contribution of Januzaj is compared with that of Raheem Sterling, the Liverpool teenager who is very much part of the supporting cast at Anfield. For Sterling's statistics are superior to those of United's star boy. With both having enjoyed nearly 18 hours of pitch time this season, the grounds for comparison are fair. As widemen, the pair are primarily tasked with creating and scoring goals. There is nothing to separate the starlets in that regard, three strikes allied to two assists. Sterling, however, has earned two penalties for the Reds and, in carving 26 opportunities for team-mates, is eight ahead of the amount of openings Januzaj has laid on for his comrades. When it comes to locating the target themselves, 53 per cent of Sterling's effort trouble the goalkeeper, while Januzaj's return is 44 per cent. Dribbling statistics follow a similar pattern and 55 per cent of Sterling's daring dashes prove successful, Januzaj completing 42 per cent of his meandering runs. The Belgian does record a better cross completion ratio, but the Englishman's passing numbers are again higher; 408 versus 373. Even when it comes to defending the Liverpool youngster has the edge and his 25 tackles, of which 80 per cent were won, compares to Januzaj's 12. Januzaj has, of course, been one of the few above criticism amid the Manchester malaise and his breakthrough season is the sole source of celebration for followers of the champions. That they lean so heavily on the academy graduate, however, merely accentuates the failings of his seniors – especially when a relative fringe player at rivals Liverpool has arguably made a bigger impact. This is interesting as we regard Sterling as one for the future, whereas Utd are hanging there season on Janujaz at the moment, and even when Rooney/RVP and Mata are all available he will still be a key player as the rest of their wide players are crap.
they are still different players. sterling will always be a winger. janauzaj should be a no 10. one has lots off bookings for diving... the other got a dodgy pen but doesn't get done for diving.. hmmmm... could it be the ref's union finally getting theirs?
Very very interesting and an eye opener. I've never really rated Sterling but might change my opinion.
I still think Sterling is one for the future. If Utd play Janujaz every game, as he is still young this may affect him in the future. You only have to look at Michael Owen, not the longest career and plagued by injury after he left us.
I think Januzai is the better player and prospect because he has more to his game. Take Sterling's pace away and there is a average player remaining at best. The only stats I use are my eyes
I agree, Gerrez, that's why I think Sterling is one for the future as he has to develop more to his game than speed. The problem with speed reliant players is a couple of injuries and they lose that edge and then just become average players.
Not watched Januzaj much this season and therefore, as this is his 'breakout season', I can't really comment. Lots of comparisons with Ronaldo and some claims by Man Utd fans that he'll be world class, but I don't usually pay those quips much attention. We heard that about Nani and Machedo, previously, and they have not proved to be justified to date. I have heard that he's been very good for Utd this season and, along with RVP and Rooney, has been one of their stand out players in a (so far) poor season. Sterling is a talent and I like watching him play. He's a bit reminiscent of a skinny John Barnes. And, if he can become half the player Digger was, he'll be a star for us. So far, he needs to work on a few things in his game but his season so far has been good.
Sterling is a far better prospect and player than Januzaj at the moment. I don't really rate Sterling as a top class prospect, he will probably turn out to be an Aaron Lennon or something but for me Januzaj is vastly over rated.
Januzaj is good, but nothing like the plaudits suggest. He gets all the praise due to how crap they are playing.
Ive always thought Gerrez was infinitely more intelligent than the rest of you. The rest of you could learn a lot from such a figurehead.
Different type of players. Sterling also has more experience despite them being similar ages which is probably helping. He's also playing with better players which helps you perform better Do think in 5 years time Januzaj will be the better player. Sterling has hit some decent form since the that Spurs win, he just needs to be consistent now though.
Not sure on the comparissons but from what I can see januzaj is a far better player with more ability and potential. Sterling is a speed merchant and thats what is making him effective. Not saying thats a bad thing but unless liverpool are playing on the counter raheem doesnt offer an awful lot. His finishing and delivery isnt amazing and he runs past people purely on speed rather than on dribblimg ability ala shaun wright phillips some years ago Januzaj on the other hand is trying too much and it is that decision making that is letting him down. Maybe hes fed up from his uncreative teammates but he is trying to do too much ala suarez of a few years ago but without the skills. just looking at purely at stats of course raheem would have more hes got brenden playing classy attacking football with suarez gerrard and coutinho supplying sublime balls in behind and on the counter. On the other hand you have dinosaur moyes with no real tactics playing defensive defend the lead football with the most uncreative midfield ever
Lets not kid ourselves.... Now I hate certain players for no real reason. At the moment I detest both Januzaj and Chelsea's Oscar, not because they dive all over the place and act like t**ts. No, quite simply I just hate the expressions on there faces and they annoy me! But with Van Persie and Rooney out of the Manchester United side. Januzaj has clearly shown leadership qualities. At times during there loss against Sunderland he was the only player that didn't look clueless in my opinion. My theory is in a few years time he will be a star and I will detest him even more... I think comparing him to Sterling is like comparing Hazard to Walcott; both score goals and perform. But one can single handily control matches while the other is good in a good team. I am a big fan of Sterling but I can't see him being a "world star" player if you get what I mean.
Januzaj is swiss-army-knife of a player. He could play on the wing as a provider like Sterling as he does have pace if he cares to bolt forward, not as much sheer speed and stamina, but is probably a better crosser. However because Januzaj does have superior vision and technique to Sterling, he could also be used as a goal-scoring forward that cuts in, or even a number 10. At the moment, he does all the above for United as Moyes is dithering on that call too. With Mata coming in, he won't be used in the no 10 position no longer, so either LF/LW all the way or RF cutting in. Sterling on the other hand is a pure pacy right winger who'll get frustrated without turf ahead of him. He cannot be tasked with cutting in from the left and shooting to score, or creating from a standstill. However, he fulfills a very necessary niche in our team on the right wing and is therefore very valuable to us imo. It is easier to perfect Sterling's job than Januzaj's, so IMO Sterling's impact to LFC is higher and clearer. Januzaj is taking a bit from Welbeck, Rooney, Nani, and soon to be Mata's roles.
Don't mind that Sterling's best attribute is pace... He'll have that pace until he's 29/30... And once he loses it he'll get sold (if he's still here). Pace and dribbling ability in a player is useful - he gives us a different option to our other front players. To become a truly great/stand out player however he does need to work on his shooting. If not, he'll always be a little above average... But still useful... Due to his pace.
Heres how I see it. Sterling - Good, solid Premier League player. Will have his moments, most o which will be down to his pace but will never step out of that 'good' bracket. Januzaj - In his short time hes shown he has the mentality, the ability and the desire to be one of the worlds best. Biased? Perhaps, Ive seen a lot more of Januzaj than Sterling though. Hes never shown anything on the level of Januzaj.
Of the two the man yoo player is automatically classed as a super kid by the media based on his club rather than his ability, Sharpe, Savage, Butt and many others have started at OT with that accolade and gradually diminished and there's no proof the promising Januzaj will be any different yet. Sterling has reached the height of his promise imo because he's had loads of game time since he was given a full contract and payrise and if anything has gone backwards apart from the odd game, for me Ibe will make a better finished article.
Sterling has just turned 19 and has improved quite a bit this season and is now an established part of our starting line up. Do you honestly feel he isn't a prospect then?
