Manchester United youngster Anthony Elanga was recalled to the starting line-up against Brighton this week. While he did not score, he caused the Seagulls defence trouble and his quick pace resulted in Lewis Dunk being sent off.
Elanga will hope he has done enough to keep his place, at Marcus Rashford’s expense. In the background is United’s clash with Atletico Madrid next week too. It’s even possible Jadon Sancho is rotated to try and keep him fresh.
Sunday’s tie at Elland Road will be a testing one for him, with an aggressive home crowd trying to intimidate the United players. The good news is Ralf Rangnick has felt him to be ready for the test of Premier League away games, with Elanga starting at Villa Park and at Brentford, the latter of which is admittedly very different to Leeds.
Pace important on both sides
United have a strong record against Leeds since they won promotion, winning two games with 11 goals scored and drawing the other.
In each game, Dan James started for United, with the winger’s work pace and speed utilised to compete on both sides of the ball. Elanga brings some of the same attributes with his speed capable of wrecking defences, and arguably just important, key to helping him track back.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side work extremely hard and United cannot afford any passengers. Recently Marcus Rashford’s slowness in tracking back has been noticed by fans, and Elanga is actually the more all-round player right now who better suits the team in these kind of games.
Goal chance
Leeds have a poor defence, illustrated by the way United smashed them 5-1 earlier in the season. This is a game where Anthony Elanga could really turn it on.
United have been creating chances by the bucketload in recent games, and it is only a matter of time before we have a clinical game and start putting them all away. This game against Leeds seems to have arrived at the perfect time.
Elanga has put the hard graft in during recent matches, and in this match against a defensively naive Leeds, he could really get the chance to add a few goals and show what he is about.
Leeds have conceded 46 this season, only Norwich have allowed more (50). Elanga’s pace on the counter attack could be used to devastating effect.
Become a hero
Elanga has a couple of first team goals to his name so far. But neither his header against Wolves last season or strike at against Brentford are likely to stick in fans’ memories for long.
A goal at Elland Road just might. Whether Elanga starts or comes off the bench, he has a chance to create history.
This game could play a part in Elanga turning from a boy into a man. United are playing just a second league game at Elland Road in two decades, and after last year’s 0-0 in an empty stadium, silencing a full home crowd could be special, and if Elanga plays a key part, he can become a real cult hero.
- Man Utd’s history of Norwegian players ahead of Rosenborg friendly
- Youri Tielemans has explained why he’s set to replicate success of Mbeumo and Cunha at Man Utd
- Lisandro Martinez sends first message after injury and World Cup final loss, De Gea responds
- Rio Ferdinand’s game-changing transfer to Man Utd revisited
- Who is Dante Plunkett? Man Utd youngster earns call-up for 2026 CONCACAF U20 Championship
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
