Adnan Januzaj 'being punished for showboating'

Manchester United midfielder Adnan Januzaj has seen his first-team opportunities at the club limited due to excessive showboating in an Under-21 game, according to reports.

The 21-year-old was considered a bright prospect when he broke into the United first team under David Moyes, but he has failed to nail down a regular role in the side since Louis van Gaal took over.

Januzaj was recalled from a loan spell with Borussia Dortmund in January, but the Daily Mail reports that his actions in an Under-21 match against Sunderland later that month angered Van Gaal.

The Belgian took part in a contest with teammate Andreas Pereira to see who could score directly from a corner after Januzaj had managed it in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Oldham Athletic.

Januzaj hit the post with one attempt and had another cleared off the line, but his showboating did not impress those inside the club, according to the report, and he has made just one brief cameo as a sub for the first team since.

Pereira has also seen first-team opportunities limited since the Under-21 Premier League match, despite Van Gaal blooding a number of other youngsters throughout the course of this season.