Ruben Amorim pours cold water on Manchester United hopes of re-signing Anthony Elanga
There’s a long-running meme in football circles: once players leave Manchester United, they suddenly hit their stride elsewhere. That trend shows no signs of slowing down. From Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Antony to Marcus Rashford and now Anthony Elanga, the Red Devils continue to witness former or current talents thrive away from Old Trafford.
Take Elanga, for example. Back in 2023, United sold the winger to Nottingham Forest for £15 million after concluding he wasn’t up to the club’s standard. But the 22-year-old has silenced his critics in style this season. He’s been electric for Forest and even netted a sensational winner against his former club earlier this month, rubbing salt into United’s wounds.
The Red Devils may soon come to regret letting the Swede leave, especially after witnessing his rapid development at Nottingham Forest. The Swedish winger has already racked up six goals and nine assists this season, eclipsing the modest total of four goals and four assists he managed during his entire stint at Old Trafford.
With INEOS planning to offload around £100 million worth of players this summer, United could see the likes of Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Jadon Sancho depart. That would leave manager Ruben Amorim in need of reinforcements in the wide attacking areas—and Elanga has now emerged as a genuine candidate for a return. According to CaughtOffside, United could bring the 22-year-old back for a fee of £43 million (€50 million) in the next transfer window.
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, are considering offering Elanga a contract extension but are also open to a sale at the right price. Elanga appears to be a strong tactical fit for Amorim’s system, with the United boss placing high value on athleticism and physicality, two traits the winger has in abundance. In fact, Elanga himself recently claimed to be the fastest player in the Premier League, a bold statement that underlines his newfound confidence in what has been an explosive campaign for the Tricky Trees.
Ruben Amorim’s comments rule out any Anthony Elanga deal
Manchester United are in the market for a new No.10 this summer, and while Anthony Elanga may be open to a return to Old Trafford, manager Ruben Amorim’s recent comments suggest a reunion is unlikely.
Following United’s defeat to Nottingham Forest in early April, Amorim was clear in his stance. He hinted that the Swedish winger had already been given an opportunity at the club and didn’t fully seize it. Speaking after the Wolves game, Amorim appeared to shut the door on a potential move, effectively ruling out Elanga’s return as part of his plans moving forward.
“They have to perform in Manchester United, we cannot look at all the players that go away. They had their chance in Manchester United,”
Amorim’s comments make it clear that Manchester United must look to the future rather than revisiting the past. By stating that Elanga had his chance at the club and didn’t make the most of it, Amorim signalled his intention to build a squad based on current form and forward-thinking potential, not sentiment or nostalgia. His stance reflects a broader shift in strategy under INEOS, where fresh ideas and new talent are being prioritised over familiar faces.
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With Ruben Amorim publicly praising Antoine Semenyo and recently showing admiration for Matheus Cunha, both of whom have been linked with Manchester United, it appears the club is more likely to pursue other Premier League options. So, even if Elanga becomes available this summer, a return to Old Trafford seems increasingly unlikely.