Manchester United U21 4-0 Southampton U21: Adnan Januzaj bags a brace as Belgian looks to impress Louis van Gaal

Back in a Manchester United shirt and back lifting bums off seats, Adnan Januzaj walked away from his homecoming a happy man.

He drifted and dazzled on Monday night, identifying difficult pockets and scoring twice to boot during 81 minutes which will have impressed Louis van Gaal’s watching assistant, Albert Stuivenberg, at Leigh Sports Village.

Hopefully for Januzaj's sake the loan at Borussia Dortmund can be consigned to the wrong option bin and on this evidence Van Gaal was right to give the player an extra few days’ training before an Under 21 runout.  

Adnan Januzaj celebrates giving his side a 1-0 lead in the Under 21 Premier League clash on Monday night

Januzaj, who will be hoping to earn a first-team call-up, scored twice for the Manchester United Under 21s

The Belgian youngster is having to prove his fitness within the United youth set-up

He looked sharp and ready, an outside bet for a spot in the weekend squad when Southampton’s senior side make the trip north. Another 4-0 win would do United nicely.

Januzaj was on Instagram after the game and posted: 'Good to be back on the pitch.' 

He began with a point to prove, sauntering inside from his right-hand station to whip a cross for Will Keane, whose header flew over. Keane then went close again moments later, bamboozling Jack Stephens before smashing the resulting volley wide.

Januzaj then brilliantly started a move he almost finished midway through the first half, taking three Southampton midfielders out of the game to find captain James Weir; catching up with play the Belgian got on the end of the eventual pull-back to force a smart stop out of Paulo Gazzaniga. 

Any lingering Dortmund doubts were not evident and Januzaj was clearly in the mood to show Van Gaal - who has been crying out for attacking ingenuity - that he could do it backwards and forwards in equal measure. The former may have been the most pleasing aspect for those here.

There were bruises along the way, Josh Sims cynically hacking him down when forcefully embarking on the final third after picking up possession in his own half.

More encouragingly for Van Gaal would be the sight of Januzaj’s movement off the ball, quite willing to run across Keane and drop in search of possession.

And, just as Southampton began to get to grips with him, Januzaj struck from 25 yards, his low effort appearing to take a deflection and zipping past Gazzaniga. Even though that came during a quieter spell the result was little more than he deserved. 

Januzaj earns a penalty for United after darting into the box midway through the second half 

Red Devils youngster Will Keane sweeps United into a commanding 3-0 lead from the penalty spot

Keane (right) celebrates with his United team-mates after scoring the third goal of the game

It is that sort of purpose United have so lacked and although the manager is unlikely to throw a player he has barely seen over the last six months straight in on Saturday, many more of these performances may force him into a decision.

That is due in no small part to the difficulties they’ve endured out wide and Ashley Young having to come off before the break against Liverpool at the weekend. Perhaps a place on the bench awaits when Ronald Koeman’s side travel to Old Trafford.

Januzaj’s night was one during which he showed - if there were any doubts whatsoever - that he is ready to muck in as he bids to reignite a United career to show so much promise under David Moyes.

Andreas Pereira looks to win the ball as the United youngsters put the pressure on at Leigh Sports Village

United fans' flags hang from the Leigh Sports Village barriers during the Barclays U21 Premier League match

United's Matthew Willock (right) and Southampton's Jake Hesketh battle for the ball 

United might have been behind by the time their 20-year-old had struck, Bevis Mugabi planted a powerful header on to a post from a corner.

But Warren Joyce’s side certainly enjoyed the best of it, Andreas Pereira pulling the strings centrally again. The three keepy-uppies on the edge of Southampton’s box before seeing his subsequent volley well tipped over was something to behold. It cannot be long before Van Gaal unleashes the Brazilian on the first team properly, or allows him to to flourish on loan.

Keane added a second shortly after the break, expertly heading Guillermo Valera’s ball home before a third later from the penalty spot. How? A Pereira reverse pass and Januzaj then clipped.

Januzaj was not finished there, slamming home Keane’s cutback late on before Joyce called him in. A job well done.