Manchester United wonderkid rated highly by Bruno Fernandes and has 20 goals in 2021
Anthony Elanga is expected to make his Manchester United Champions League debut tonight against Young Boys at Old Trafford.
Ralf Rangnick, the new interim manager, took him off the bench at the weekend, and Elanga is anticipated to start this evening, with lots of rotation. In this final group stage match, he could potentially start.
In light of this, we’ve put together a handy reminder of all you need to know about the exciting new direction.
The history of Elanga
Elanga is the son of Joseph Elanga, a former Cameroonian international who played in the 1998 World Cup.
He was born in Sweden in 2002, while his father was playing club football for Malmo.
He has dedicated his international football career to Sweden, having represented the country at all levels from youth to under-21. When Elanga was a member of Sweden’s under-17 team in 2019, he drew the attention of the media.
Star of the United academy
Elanga was signed by United when he was 14 years old, and after he entered the under-18 age group, he began to make a name for himself.
He truly kicked on the next season after breaking into the under-18s and scoring three goals and providing five assists in 2018/19.
The following season, he established himself as a starter, scoring seven goals and giving four assists in nine games. Following in the footsteps of Mason Greenwood, Paul Scholes, and Ryan Giggs, he was named the club’s Jimmy Murphy Award winner in 2020.
Elanga was then promoted to the under-23s, where he led the team in scoring with 11 goals in the 2020/21 season. Given that he was out for three months due to a collarbone injury, this was a remarkable accomplishment.
The teenager is still only 19 years old and will not be 20 until April of next year.
Elanga’s style of play is unique.
As part of a front three, Elanga can play wide left or up front in a duo. He has also played as a lone striker for the under-23s on occasion.
He is a quick player who possesses a good blend of speed and dribbling abilities. He also has excellent technique, as evidenced by his volley against Brentford in pre-season
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Elanga has also demonstrated his ability to score with his head this season, scoring headers for the first team against Wolves and for Sweden’s under-21s.
Elanga’s on-field performances are aided by evidence of his character. On and off the field, he is a selfless, hardworking athlete who gives his best.This EFL Trophy goal scored against Accrington in 2020 is one of the best examples of what Elanga is capable of.
A fruitful 2021
Elanga’s 2021 season got off to a shaky start when he suffered a collarbone injury while playing for the under-23s, despite the fact that he had already scored twice. In April, he returned from injury and made up for lost time.
Given that he only made his under-21 debut in June, the kid has scored seven goals in seven games for Sweden’s under-21 team.
Elanga has four goals and two assists in eight games for the under-23s this season, adding another goal in one of his two UEFA Youth League outings.
Elanga has 20 goals in 2021 after combining his academy goals at the conclusion of last season (5), this season (5), his Sweden under-21 goals (7), his first-team goal against Wolves, and his two for United in pre-season.
It will be quite an achievement if he can add to his score in the Champions League tonight.
Chances for the first team
Last season, Elanga had two first-team appearances, and he has made two more this season.
The teenager earned his Old Trafford debut against Leicester City at the conclusion of last season, then scored after 13 minutes in his first start against Wolves on the final day of the season, heading in a cross from Dan James in an away win.
This season, he came off the bench to play 17 minutes in the Carabao Cup defeat to West Ham, followed by a similar cameo in the Premier League against Crystal Palace this past weekend under Ralf Rangnick.Elanga played three pre-season games, scoring in two of them, against QPR and Brentford, before suffering an injury that halted his progress.
Elanga has a good reputation.
Anthony Elanga is a fantastic athlete. Take our word for it; read what players and coaches who have worked with him in the past have said about him.
“He is impressing everyone because he is a really sweet child,” Bruno Fernandes told the club’s website in May. Quiet, but a diligent worker. He has excellent ball control and can play with both feet. As a result, he has a future. I believe he has a future with us if he concentrates on what he needs to do and what he can accomplish.”
“He is an interesting player and he is really humble who does not come with any kind of status just because he is from Manchester United,” Sweden under-21 coach Poya Asbaghi told Fotboll Skanalen earlier this year. His feet are firmly planted on the ground.”
“There was some very good movement from Anthony Elanga, with his intensity, excitement, pace, and talent,” Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remarked on the club’s website during pre-season. He’s doing incredibly well. He’s electrifying, with speed, technique, and the courage and bravery of a Manchester United player.”
“He works so hard, he’s constantly smiling and bright, asking what else he has to do, he’s so hungry to progress and get better,” he continued. He can play wide left, wide right, and up front, thus he can play wherever on the offensive line. He’ll be a valuable addition.”
Nemanja Matic lauded his attitude and ability earlier this season, telling the club in October: “I’m always pleased to support players who are nice kids who want to progress, who want to listen and learn.” Anthony is one of the young players who looks up to and respects the players who are older and have more experience.
“As a result, I’m extremely pleased with how he’s progressing and how he’s training and playing in games.” So I believe he will be a key player for us in the future, as I see him in the starting XI in the next seasons.”
