Van Gaal: Januzaj Rejected Chance To Stay At Manchester United

Louis van Gaal insists he wanted Adnan Januzaj to stay at Manchester United and says the winger has taken a "big risk" by leaving the club for Borussia Dortmund.

Januzaj joined Dortmund on a season-long loan deal on the final day of the summer transfer window, but has struggled to make an impact and has made just two starts since his arrival at Signal Iduna Park.

He was a 69th-minute substitute in Dortmund's 3-1 Bundesliga defeat at Hamburg on Friday night, playing a part in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's late consolation goal.

The 20-year-old began the campaign at Old Trafford and scored the winner in United's 1-0 victory at Aston Villa in August.

The Belgium international featured a further three times for United before sealing a switch to Dortmund and Van Gaal feels Januzaj's decision to trade the Premier League for the Bundesliga may have been a wrong decision.

"At a club like Borussia Dortmund, all the players are also of a certain level," the Manchester United manager said.

"I said in advance that's a big risk, because you have to compete with other players of a higher level and that's not so easy.

"It's the same as at Manchester United. He has to compete with higher-level players. I want him to play all the matches, and that's why I wanted to play him in the Premier League, but he chose Borussia Dortmund.

"We have to wait and see [if it's a good move] because now he doesn't play.

"I am certain he has the talent to play, but he has to learn a lot of things.

"Talent is important, but so is the character to develop your talent. And he can learn that."

Credit: Skysports.com