Pranav Nair
Anthony Elanga could make his Manchester United debut against Granada
According to The Metro, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hinted that youngster Anthony Elanga could be in line to make his first-team debut for Manchester United against Granada.
The 18-year-old is one of the club’s brightest prospects and only recently signed professional terms with United. Elanga was the recipient of the prestigious Jimmy Murphy Youth Team Player of the Year award last season.
With Anthony Martial out injured and Marcus Rashford nursing a knock, Solskjaer included Elanga in the United squad travelling to Granada. A winger, he might be called upon to step in and assist the attack.
“It’s not just for the experience. He’s ready to play.”
Solskjaer admits that the youngster is not tagging along to make up numbers. He has been impressed with the young Swede’s performances and was keen to promote him earlier in the season. Unfortunately, injuries prevented him from doing so.
“He was very unlucky when he got an injury about two or three months ago because he was about to move into the first-team squad then.”
The Norwegian also confirmed that the teenager will start tonight on the bench. Having seen Amad Diallo and Shola Shoretire come off the bench to make their debuts, it is not out of the question that Elanga may do the same.
Much promise!
Solskjaer clearly has a high opinion of the player. The Norwegian has praised not just the player’s technical ability but also his prowess in using either foot.
“He [Elanga] has a lot of quality, speed and he is a goalscorer. He likes to beat men and has a right foot and left foot.”
Elanga featured in the club’s only pre-season friendly at Aston Villa last year. He came on as a second-half substitute and showed off his pace and directness. (h/t Man Utd)
Half a year on, he might just experience the real thing.
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The Sweden youth international comes from a family with a rich footballing heritage. His father, Joseph, represented Cameroon at the 1998 World Cup before going on to have a couple of spells with Malmo.
