Manchester United first-team coach
Phil Neville has revealed they are trying to manage Adnan Januzaj
carefully so that he can maintain his rapid rise.
The skilful midfielder was surprisingly left out of United's midweek Champions League defeat to Olympiakos, but Neville has defended the decision to give him a rest by insisting they do not want the youngster to suffer burnout.
"It's still early doors for him, though, and I think we've treated him right," Neville told the club's official website. "We've played him in games and we've also rested him in others and given him a bit of a breather.
"We have to make sure that in two or three years he's still improving and reaching the levels we hope he can reach. That's our job as coaches."
Neville admits no one at the club has been surprised by the emergence of Januzaj this season and he believes the playmaker has shown he can handle the pressure of playing for United.
"Everyone knew we had a special talent on our hands, but the real test comes when you play at Old Trafford," Neville added.
"So that was the question back in pre-season: has he got the temperament to play for Manchester United at Old Trafford?
"Well, I think he's answered that. You have to have the courage, the belief, the confidence, the determination to play for Manchester United - those characteristics are key to a player's success here and Adnan is no different."
Sky Sports