Whatever Manchester United’s first team can do, so can the under-23s, they showed last night.
United’s under-23s thrashed Derby County 6-2, after trailing 2-1.
The team are now up to fifth in the table, which is pretty impressive considering an up and down campaign.
Anthony Elanga set the ball rolling against Derby, scoring in the first minute.
Ethan Galbraith, Shola Shoretire, Omari Forson all scored in between, before Elanga and then Shoretire each added a second.
Elanga’s second goal was particularly good, dribbling inside the box after being played in by Forson, beating two opponents before shooting low into the net.
This was Elanga’s best game since his return from a collarbone injury which forced him out of action for three months in early January.
Top scorer
Elanga’s double against Derby means he is now United’s top goalscorer for the under-23s this season, including EFL Trophy games.
He is on 11 goals, overtaking Joe Hugill on 10 (who also has six for the under-18s), while Shola Shoretire’s brace also took him up to 10 goals.
Elanga’s productivity is all the more impressive considering he missed time with injury.
Against Derby he also provided an assist, his fourth of the season, taking his total goal contributions to 15 this campaign.
Elanga was recently called up into United’s first team squad for the Europa League ties with Granada, and has trained with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.
His performance on Monday night was exactly what Solskjaer will have been looking for.
There could be a chance for Elanga to make his debut before the end of the season, if United wrap up Champions League qualification early.
With United needing left sided alternatives to Marcus Rashford, to rest the England star, Elanga could be the perfect candidate.
Reaction
United supporters loved seeing Elanga show what he is capable of. Here is a look at some of the reaction to his performance…
- Harry Maguire says he knows why Trevoh Chalobah has been called up for England ahead of him and Luke Shaw
- One Manchester United player ‘liked’ Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan announcement
- Lisandro Martinez sends ‘crazy’ message to Lionel Messi after Argentina hattrick, Man Utd target replies
- Tom Heaton explains what was ‘impressive’ about Senne Lammens from day one
- Bayer Leverkusen agree £27m deal for Man Utd target Afonso Moreira
- Thomas Tuchel explains why Trevoh Chalobah was picked over Luke Shaw for England replacement
- Argentine press react to Lisandro Martinez’s World Cup performance as Argentina win 3-0 vs Algeria
- Ruben Amorim could sign two players for AC Milan that give him what he didn’t get at Man Utd
- Matthijs de Ligt pictured doing fitness work for first time since surgery on his summer vacation
- Matheus Cunha breaks his silence on Casemiro’s Man Utd exit
- As well as Tchouameni, Man Utd must target another France star who shone against Senegal
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