Manchester United legend Bryan Robson believes the emergence of Anthony Elanga has helped Marcus Rashford recapture his form.
It was Rashford’s absence at Villa Park due to a dead leg which resulted in Ralf Rangnick handing the young Swede his first Premier League start of the season.
The 19-year-old impressed against the Villains and retained his place at Brentford despite Rashford returning to the squad.
United’s number 36 broke the deadlock at the Brentford Community Stadium with an athletic header before Rashford came off the bench to score United’s third.
The Swedish under-21 international made it three Premier League starts in a row against West Ham.
But after replacing Elanga, United’s number 10 made it two goals in two games as he tapped home a 93rd-minute winner via an Edinson Cavani cross.
Although Anthony Martial has joined Sevilla on loan for the remainder of the season, Robson feels the battle for the starting spot on the left-hand side with Elanga could bring the best out of Rashford.
Speaking on United Daily, Robson said: “I think Elanga has done really well in the three games he’s played. He’s shown loads of energy, he’s brave and quick, he’s got a lot about him.
“I think because he’s been in the team a couple of times it just looks like it’s sharpened Marcus [Rashford] up and Marcus knows he’s got to work hard, he’s got to start scoring goals again, which he’s proved in the last few games.
“So hopefully that’ll spur Marcus into coming back into form.”
Anthony Elanga breakthrough allows players to leave
Prior to Ralf Rangnick taking over as interim boss until the end of the season, it seemed that Elanga was destined to leave the club on loan this month.
But after impressing the German, Elanga’s emergence has meant that Rangnick is open to as many as four first team players leaving Manchester United in January, according to ESPN, which is quite the U-turn.
Martial has already departed for Sevilla and Amad Diallo has completed a loan move to Scottish champions Rangers.
Rangnick is also thought to be ‘relaxed about the prospect of also losing Jesse Lingard and Donny van de Beek.
The 63-year-old was ‘initially reluctant’ to sanction so many departures halfway through the campaign, but the performances of Elanga have ‘convinced’ the former Red Bull sporting director that he would still have enough options to fight on three fronts in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
The report from ESPN states that any loan enquiries received for Elanga this month have been ‘firmly dismissed’.
United’s interim boss expects the academy star to play several games during the remainder of the campaign and compete with the likes of Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood for minutes in the wide positions.
- Jurgen Klinsmann thinks nobody can ‘change’ something Bruno Fernandes does as player, including Michael Carrick
- Italian press claim Man Utd have made contact for Rafael Leao, as Iliman Ndiaye added to shortlist
- Man Utd ready to offer another extension after sealing permanent future of Michael Carrick’s staff
- Sir Jim Ratcliffe can take advantage of Man Utd takeover clause as Glazer family considers sale
- Tom Heaton makes the same point as Mainoo and Maguire after finalising Man Utd contract extension
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
