Anthony Elanga ‘personal’ post-match comments are lesson Man Utd must learn from

Add as preferred source on Google

Anthony Elanga has said that this game against Manchester United for Nottingham Forest was personal for the Swedish winger.

Nottingham Forest recorded a 2-1 victory over Manchester United at the City Ground and the Swedish winger provided the assist for Morgan Gibbs-White’s winning goal for the East Midlands side.

Manchester United were not at the races with Alejandro Garnacho and Antony struggling to perform but the former academy graduate Elanga was the best forward on the pitch.

He was causing Diogo Dalot and Raphael Varane, in particular, constant problems and it was clear the Swedish international was trying to prove a point to the manager who sold him.

Elanga on ‘personal’ United affair

Speaking to NBC, the Swedish winger opened up about a tough season last year for the Red Devils as Ten Hag preferred Jadon Sancho and Antony over the academy graduate before United sold him to Forest for just £15 million.

“Last season wasn’t easy for me because I’d play 5-10 mins then I wouldn’t play 10 games then it would be in and out,” Elanga said. “This game was kinda personal for me, to prove that I am capable of playing at higher levels.”

Elanga has certainly proven that he can play at a higher level as his assist at the City Ground means he has been involved, either scoring or assisting, in 10 goals for the East Midlands side.

United have a habit of making poor decisions when it comes to their academy players. With the debacle over Sancho’s future at the club, Elanga could well have been a useful squad option for the Red Devils.

United have to be careful

The Red Devils have some talented academy players, some will make it in the United first team but the majority of these players will have to forge a career elsewhere.

Judging whether these players are good enough has been a struggle. Angel Gomes is a starting midfielder for French side LOSC Lille and looks outstanding, United let him go for nothing.

Hannibal Mejbri, Dan Gore and Willy Kambwala are three academy players who have featured here and there for the Red Devils, the club has to decide sooner or later if they’re good enough and have to be right.

Selling one of these players for a minimal fee would be a disastrous mistake. Mistakes like selling Elanga cannot happen again.