Manchester United youngster Anthony Elanga is expected to make his Champions League debut for the club against Young Boys on Wednesday, according to BBC Sport.
With Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial both absent from the matchday squad that beat Crystal Palace 1-0 yesterday, the Swedish under-21 international came off the bench in Ralf Rangnick’s first game in charge as the club’s new interim boss.
The 19-year-old came on for Marcus Rashford in the 76th minute, to make his first Premier League appearance of the season.
It was only a minute later after Elanga’s introduction that Fred scored a stunning right-footed curling effort into the top corner, which clinched the three points.
Elanga set for Champions League bow
Elanga was an unused substitute in our first three Champions League Group F games, under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
But he didn’t travel with the senior squad for our trips to Atalanta and Villarreal, instead he was starting for Neil Wood’s under-19s side in the UEFA Youth League.
In those games, Elanga scored against Atalanta and registered a crucial assist for Charlie McNeil, to help bring us level against the Spanish youngsters.
Wood’s side, who sit top of Group F going into the last game, need to match Villarreal’s result to guarantee top spot.
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But instead of lining up at Leigh Sports Village on Wednesday afternoon, it looks like Elanga is set to make his Champions League debut, under the lights at Old Trafford, against Young Boys in the evening, whether from the bench or even as a starter.
With United already qualified for the Champions League last-16 as Group F winners, Rangnick is expected to ring the changes.
Speaking on Elanga’s prospects of featuring, Simon Stone, BBC Sport‘s football reporter, said: “It’s always difficult to second guess football managers but I would imagine Anthony Elanga can be reasonably confident about making his European debut for Manchester United on Wednesday.
“A significant number of changes are anticipated to Ralf Rangnick’s line-up.
“It would seem obvious to give Cristiano Ronaldo a rest and given Edinson Cavani was not involved yesterday due to injury, Elanga would be the obvious replacement, with Mason Greenwood also set to be involved.”
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