Dan James is closing in on a move to Manchester United and there are high hopes he can emulate Ryan Giggs, with The Mail claiming a deal has been agreed.
He might not have it his own way for a role in the first team and will have to earn it.
One player who will hope to challenge him in future seasons is Anthony Elanga.
Elanga, 17, is one of United’s academy stars and has had a successful season for the under-18s.
A solo goal he scored earlier this campaign attracted plaudits and rightly so.
(Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
United’s website player profile reads, Elanga ‘has pace to burn and is capable of creating havoc down the flanks.’
#MUAcademy: Anthony Elanga was on target in our Under-18s’ 3-1 win over Newcastle on Saturday with this superb solo effort. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Boi6g9KXbS
— Manchester United (@Directunited) March 17, 2019
This past month Elanga was part of Sweden’s side at the under-17s European championships and scored twice against France.
Manchester United’s Anthony Elanga (17) just scored a phenomenal goal for Sweden. Held up the ball, combined with his teammate, accelerated past Kouassi and fired it into the corner. Sweden 1 France 0.
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) May 6, 2019
United signed Elanga from Malmo when he was 14, beating competition from Manchester City.
Swedish football blog Swede Stats have high hopes for him, writing: “Anthony Elanga, if he plays his cards right, he can be that new superstar, megastar, that Sweden craves after Zlatan Ibrahimovic.”
(Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
That’s music to our ears, and Elanga’s progress will be fascinating to watch over the next season in the under-23s, assuming he takes Tahith Chong’s spot.
If he can excel, it might not be too long before he is challenging Dan James and co for a first team spot.