Anthony Elanga is being lined up for a surprise loan move to Borussia Dortmund, claim Talksport.
The German side are reportedly set to rival Everton and Bournemouth in pursuit of the Manchester United youngster.
Elanga started for United in the Carabao Cup against Charlton, but will drop down the pecking order since Wout Weghorst was signed on loan.
The promising youngster is now 11 months without a club goal for Manchester United, and was an unused substitute against City at the weekend.
READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023
United have a choice to make
Anthony Elanga could benefit from a loan move. This season he has made only five starts in the Premier League.
The other side of the coin is that Manchester United are light up front, hence the Weghorst move.
Elanga is a very different style of player, more likely to test opponents with his pace, than his physicality, and a manager as shrewd as Erik ten Hag can find uses for both, tactically, between now and the end of the season.
The big change comes about via the emergence of Facundo Pellistri, who impressed last week on his debut, doing more in his five minute cameo against Charlton than Elanga had managed in 85.
Pellistri is also generating loan interest, and once Jadon Sancho returns, there just won’t be room for all of them in the match day squad. As it was, Pellistri missed out at the weekend.
The Uruguayan offers more intrigue, and it could be that United choose between the two, promoting Pellistri, and allowing Elanga to leave on loan.
Dortmund: An attractive loan destination
Borussia Dortmund is an attractive loan destination for Manchester United to send Anthony Elanga out to.
The 20-year-old could get to play against Chelsea in the Champions League, and compete for a team at the top end of the Bundesliga table.
By contrast, Everton is a club United should let Elanga nowhere near right now. They are battling relegation, fans are protesting, and sending the youngster there is likely to do him more harm than good.
It also can’t hurt to improve relations with Dortmund, ahead of an expected summer pursuit of Jude Bellingham.
If United approve sending Elanga out on loan, the chance to join Dortmund is one the Sweden international should jump at.
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