Former Manchester United manager David Moyes sees shades of Dutch legend Johan Cruyff in young midfielder Adnan Januzaj.

The Scot brought the Belgian into the first team last season, a year in which the youngster's performances were one of the brighter spots in a difficult period at Old Trafford.

Moyes, now in charge at Real Sociedad, believes that Januzaj has the talent to go a long way at United.

"Some youngsters get overawed. Not Adnan. I realised that when he came to train with the first team soon after I joined," Moyes told FourFourTwo.

"I decided to take him on tour with the first team within minutes of watching him.

"He wasn't timid but hungry to succeed. He was one of the tour's bright spots.

"He possesses a level of self-assured arrogance, which is a positive as he's not too arrogant.

"On the contrary, he's a bright lad who is mature for his age.

"He's a wonderfully gifted player with great balance and the ability to go past people.

"When I see his poise on the ball, he has characteristics of Johan Cruyff."

Meanwhile, Manchester United have been told to forget any hopes of re-signing former Old Trafford hero Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portugal international left Old Trafford for the Spanish giants in an £80million deal in 2009 and has been incredibly successful at the Bernabeu.

Sir Alex Ferguson's former assistant, Mike Phelan, believes that Ronaldo "would listen" if United made him an offer to return.

But Angel Di Maria suspects that his current success in Spain would eventually win out.

"I don't think he is coming back to Manchester," the winger told Radio America of his former team-mate. "It's hard to quit Real Madrid.

"Maybe, but I think he's having a great time and I don't see that he wants to change."

Ronaldo is the favourite to retain the Ballon d'Or when Fifa hands out the prize for 2014 on January 12.

And Di Maria is convinced he is a stick on to be named the world's best player when the award is handfed out on Monday.

He said: "Ronaldo is simply the best player on the planet.

"His form over the last year has been unbelievable.

"In my opinion, he is the complete modern-day footballer. He can win in the air, he has a devastating shot and he is a brilliant team player.

"I have huge respect for Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer but Cristiano is my No.1.

"He is the king of Real Madrid and I would expect him to finish his career at the Bernabeu because he is worshipped by the fans there.

"It would be a huge surprise if he didn't win the Ballon d'Or."