Surajit Das
Manchester United set to offer long-term contract to academy graduate Anthony Elanga
According to The Telegraph (Subscription Required), Youth player Anthony Elanga is set to bag a new long-term deal at Manchester United after impressing new manager Ralf Rangnick with his performances. He signed his previous contract earlier this year in March.
Anthony Elanga rose to fame after giving some incredible performances for the Manchester United youth side. This season, the 19-year-old forward has scored four goals and provided four assists in 8 games for the U23 side. The Swedish starlet got the senior team deut under the now-axed-manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
After the arrival of the German boss, the player was picked in the matchday squad twice in the Premier League and got the opportunity to feature against Crystal Palace. He also completed the full 90 mins for the senior side this season after featuring against Young Boys in the Champions League group phase.
It seems the Elanga has ‘impressed the new manager’ recently. He could now get his big break for the senior team under the former Leipzig manager, who recently talked about the importance of grooming young academy players. It is believed that United are preparing a long term contract for the 19-year-old left-winger to keep hold of him.
Even though Manchester United signed Jadon Sancho from Dortmund in the summer, the goals haven’t started pouring in. On the other hand, Marcus Rashford hasn’t been much of a help when it comes to goals and assists this season.
36-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo is still the top scorer for the Red Devils this season. The Portuguese has single-handedly decided the outcomes of some games this season with incredible performances. However, for how many more years the ageing star could give top-level performances is a big question.
Elanga has been with United since the age of 12. He knows the club inside-out and the requirements to stay in the starting line-up. The youngster has shown incredible work ethic in the past, and betting on his long term future could be a massive success for the Red Devils. However, Rangnick would have to provide him first-team minutes in the coming weeks to showcase his talent.
More Manchester United News
- Kieran McKenna and Martyn Pert leave Manchester United to join Ipswich Town
- Ralf Rangnick eyes Anthony Elanga to replace Anthony Martial at Manchester United
- Manchester United star Mason Greenwood growing frustrated with Cristiano Ronaldo’s growing influence at the club
It is unwise to let a rising starlet warm the bench if there is ever an opportunity to either play him in cup games or loan him out to gain some experience.
