Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Adnan Januzaj has been one of the club's best players this season.

The 18-year-old, who had not featured for the first team until this campaign, has made five appearances in all competitions this term.

Last time out he scored both goals in United's 2-1 victory away at Sunderland, and reflecting on the Belgian's contribution so far, veteran defender Ferdinand has said that he has been impressed.

"There have been positives about this season with the best one of those being the emerging talent of Adnan," he told United Review.

"We saw how well he did in pre-season and he's taken that into the season and when he's had his opportunities for the first team he's done really, really well. Even if he hadn't have scored [at Sunderland] it would have gone down as a very good performance.

"The manager (David Moyes) and the lads at the club won't let him get carried away with anything and will make sure he keeps his feet on the ground. He's a really good lad and he wants to be a top player, that's the most important thing. But he knows he has to work hard to achieve his dreams."

Januzaj ended speculation over his future earlier today by signing a new contract with the Premier League champions.