Elanga gives Man Utd a timely reminder of his quality

Cameron Smith

4 Sept 2021 09:24 BST
3 min read

Anthony Elanga, Manchester United — © ProShots

After a stellar transfer window during which both Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo were added to their attacking roster, Manchester United are certainly in a good place.

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With a plethora of options available to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the final third this campaign, Old Trafford academy graduates may find themselves on the fringes during a season in which they'd hoped for action.

Big money signing Amad Diallo was even offered to Feyenoord on loan, with only an injury preventing that move from happening. Shola Shoretire is another promising attacker that the club have high hopes for, but again he's expected to play a bit-part role at best.

The third exciting, attacking option to Solskjaer is Anthony Elanga. The 19-year-old featured twice in the Premier League last season, and even managed to bag a goal, a bullet header against Wolves.

Capable of playing through the middle, or more commonly out wide, Elanga is a pacey forward with an instinct for knowing where the back of the net is. Of course, chances in the first-team will be limited this season, but if he's given a chance, then expect him to take it.

Elanga for Sweden

Selected for Sweden's U-21 side for the September international break, Elanga reminded just why he's rated so highly at Man Utd, and displayed enough talent to surely attract Solskjaer's attention.

Elanga brace today for Sweden U21s 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Fmge5VUulL
— 𝙊𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙧 🇸🇪 (@UtdOscarinho) September 3, 2021

Against Montenegro's U21 side, Sweden ran out 3-1 winners, largely thanks to a brace by Elanga. The Man Utd forward calmly slotted home when one-on-one with the goalkeeper, before restoring his country's lead with a delicately placed finish from just inside the penalty area.

Of course, the opposition isn't quite Premier League standard, but for a player so young, it's certainly a promising sign. If Elanga keeps performing, then a senior Sweden call-up will be around the corner in no time, and then Solskjaer will really start paying attention.