Elanga is Another Proof Man United Terrible At Player Management
Anthony Elanga’s sensational solo goal sealed Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United, his former club, which had let him depart for £15 million in 2023 with little fan protest. Once an academy prospect at United since age 12, Elanga has blossomed away from Old Trafford’s intense scrutiny, becoming a cornerstone of Nuno Espirito Santo’s Forest revolution.
His sixth goal of the season—a breathtaking 85-meter sprint in under nine seconds, shrugging off Alejandro Garnacho before slotting home with composure—propelled Forest into the Premier League’s top four, while United, after a 13th league loss, teeter toward their first bottom-half finish since 1990. “I’m enjoying my football,” Elanga told TNT Sports, grateful for the development Forest offers—something United couldn’t provide.
United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, reflected on Elanga’s impact with a stark admission: “At United, you don’t have time. We have to get it right fast.” The pressure at Old Trafford, he suggested, can crush even talented players who once wore the red shirt, like Elanga.
Fans, who once saw his exit as shrewd business, might now regret it, especially after watching Garnacho flounder in the same match—wasteful in possession and off-target with his shots—while Elanga delivered the kind of electrifying play United have sorely missed. Elanga’s resurgence isn’t a lone case.
Marcus Rashford, now at Aston Villa, has rediscovered his spark, scoring twice against Preston North End and gearing up for a Champions League quarterfinal. Antony, on loan at Real Betis since January, is also turning heads.
These success stories underline a recurring issue for United: a failure to harness talent that thrives elsewhere. As Amorim grapples with a turnaround, Elanga’s journey—from a discarded prospect to a potential Champions League star—serves as a stinging reminder of what might have been.