Moyes praises Januzaj’s spirit

David Moyes has hailed the spirit of Manchester United midfielder Adnan Januzaj as he continues to make a major impact in his first Premier League season.

Januzaj came off the bench to help inspire United’s 3-2 comeback win over Stoke at Old Trafford on Saturday and Moyes believes his slender build belies a ferocious competitive instinct.

Januzaj is in line to start for United along with Saturday’s match-winner Javier Hernandez in tonight’s Capital One Cup clash with Norwich at Old Trafford (7.45).

Moyes said: “If ever there was a boy who can take it, it will be him. You just hope the referees give him the correct protection, and I’m sure they will, but he won’t be moaning about it — he’s a great lad and he’ll bounce up and get on with it.

“You can kick him as hard as you like and it won’t affect him.”

Moyes has admitted that Wilfried Zaha is in contention to face Norwich despite not yet making his Premier League bow for the champions.

Zaha has been linked with a possible loan switch away from United in January.

“I just don’t think we have had the right opportunity to get him on as much as would have liked,” Moyes said.

“We don’t want to put him in too quickly. We want to make it the right time.”

Norwich manager Chris Hughton is confident of an upturn in fortunes ahead of the daunting task of taking on United and Manchester City in successive matches this week.

“Our concerns are always about making sure we get results,” Hughton said.

“For us it’s not a comfortable position being in the bottom three. It’s not a position we want to be in.

“It’s very early days. You have to accept any criticisms and frustrations, but our performances will show that we are endeavouring to play the best football we can, to try to play winning football.”