Anthony Elanga dances with Wolves (©AFP)
Anthony Elanga dances with Wolves (©AFP)

Young gun Anthony Elanga is the latest United hotshot

Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 24.05.21. | 11:16

Swedish-born Cameroon youngster scored against Wolves in only his second Premier League appearance

Anthony Elanga scored his first senior goal for Manchester United in his club's 2-1 win at Wolves. Manager Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer was rewarded for placing his trust in some of the younger players on the final day of the Premier League season – albeit in a virtually insignificant match.

Elanga is a United's academy product and was named in Solskjaer's starting eleven at Molineux. The 19-year-old made an immediate impact on his first league start for the club, powering home a bullet header off a Dan James cross.

It was a day to remember for the son of Joseph Elanga, 17-times Cameroon international. Born in Sweden during his Dad's playing days at Malmo FF, the boy could be the next big thing at Old Trafford. Anthony looks to be at the right place to become a fine player at a club that has built an empire around young players who came through their ranks.

The Sweden Under-19 international had only made his United debut as a second-half substitute against Leicester City in the League on May 11. Now he's got a goal to his name as well. On this evidence, he's a quick learner.

The young winger, who has excelled at youth level this season, says the trick to his impressive performance was keeping things simple - a message he was given from senior teammates Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic before the game.

"My debut's still not sunk in yet. The fact I've scored at Molineux, that's still not sunk in yet either! It's just a fantastic feeling, starting in the Premier League for the club I've supported since I was young. I'm just so happy. I think that's my first ever header that I've scored for the club. I felt sharp. I kept going after I'd missed a chance early on, and when another opportunity came, I made a good connection with my head and saw it go in. "

Speaking about the youngster recently, Solskjaer has revealed that he has spotted exciting traits in the young striker – some of which he'd also had in his playing days.

"Elanga has impressed when he has been in training with us. He would have appeared for the first team earlier, but he's had a bad injury earlier in the season. He's worked really hard to come back, and we're delighted with him. He's got an X factor, some attributes, it's not like a gift, but he's got the acceleration, pace, speed, that's a given for wingers, and he's got qualities I like. He's a goalscoring winger, he's confident, he likes to beat men, right foot, left foot, he's got a great attitude. His appetite and hunger to improve... when he's been training with us, he's not been fazed by it, he's confident."

Elanga's goal on Sunday was so calmly taken that it made him look like a Premier League already. He's another potential star rolling off an impressive academy production line. As the final whistle blew, Solskjaer approached Elanga to congratulate him. Ole's beaming smile showed his delight at the teenager's performance.

We've got another Manchester United starlet to keep an eye on.


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Anthony ElangaOle Gunnar SolskjaerManchester United

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