Varun Pai
Transfer News: Manchester United want Anthony Elanga to seal loan move to Championship club
According to transfer news on The Sun, Manchester United want Anthony Elanga to secure a loan deal at a Championship club in January.
The youngster has spent the last two years working hard to get into the senior squad. He has impressed in the U-18 and the U-23 setup, but the amount of quality in the first team means that he shall have to wait for his chance before playing consistently amongst the big boys.
He has made six competitive senior appearances over the last two campaigns and also bagged a goal on the final day of last season against Wolves. The starlet is also in the midst of establishing himself in the Sweden squad- a country in the Scandinavian region of Europe. But given his performances at the youth level, that day might not be too far either.
Thus, after considerable progress over the last 18 months, Man United want the player to secure a loan move to a Championship club. It would be a good decision to do so, especially after he recently committed his future to the Red Devils until 2026.
Elanga needs consistent game-time
It was odd that the attacker was not loaned out in the summer itself, even more so after the additions of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer used him in pre-season, but it was clear that Elanga was not going to form part of the first-team plans with the sort of names in our first-team line-up.
Regardless, he is gaining some minutes under Ralf Rangnick. But it is time for him to stop garnering minimal minutes and get his hands dirty in the Championship. Teden Mengi, James Garner, Axel Tuanzebe, and Amad Diallo are in the midst of or have secured loan deals already this season.
Thus, it only makes sense for the Swedish U-21 international to do the same. His contract extension is evidence that he is a part of the future at Old Trafford, but he needs to continue developing. Moreover, Edinson Cavani and Jesse Lingard could depart once their contracts expire in the summer. Anthony Martial wants to leave the club, while Cristiano Ronaldo shall have to hang up his boots at some point.
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Hence, unless Man United bring in another young attacking superstar at the club, the 19-year-old is primed to form part of the first-team squad in the coming years. We have always given the youth a chance to display their talent on the biggest platform, but Elanga will have to prove that he deserves the opportunity by going on loan and honing his potential.
Hopefully, he follows in the footsteps of Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford- two young attackers who have come through the academy to form a big part of our first-team set-up.
