Adnan Januzaj can be our match-winner, says Sunderland boss Moyes

Sunderland boss David Moyes has backed Adnan Januzaj to become the team’s match-winner.

The mercurial Belgian has produced several improved performances for the Black Cats in recent weeks, with the Wearsiders having won four of their last seven league games.

Moyes revealed that he has told Januzaj, on loan from Manchester United, to alter his body language on the pitch, with the playmaker having come under fire in the past for an apparent lack of effort.

However, the former United and Everton manager added he had great belief that the 21-year-old will start to win games for the side.

Sunderland play United on Boxing Day, with Januzaj ineligible to play against his parent club.

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

“I told him he had to look as if he was running a bit harder,” said Moyes. “Sometimes his body language gives you the feeling that he’s not.

“But he’s capable of winning games, he’s not quite doing it yet, but I have great belief he will.

“He’s got the ability to do it and score goals, he had a couple of one against one opportunities, instances you feel you would fancy to get in a shot.”

“I need Adnan, Fabio Borini, Victor Anichebe and Jermain Defoe, those are the players that need to get us the goals.

“We need to stop them at the other end but those are the ones that we need to get us the goals.

“Jermain has a very good record but if he doesn’t score then who can win us a game with another one?”