Elanga stepped into the light after saving MU

 Elanga stepped into the light after saving MU

Anthony Elanga's precious goal helped MU hold Atletico Madrid 1-1 and temporarily dominate in the 1/8 Champions League match this season.

The Swedish striker was launched into the field by coach Ralf Rangnick from the 75th minute. Four minutes later, Elanga scored in a rare attack situation of MU in this match. He overcame a tackle from an Atletico midfielder then coldly shot to beat Jan Oblak.

Elanga is one of the latest talents to be released from the MU youth. This season, the striker born in 2002 often plays and scores some important goals for MU. But Elanga's moment of hitting Atletico surpassed all. That goal could be a turning point for the career of the striker who is specially favored by coach Rangnick.

MU 1-1 Atletico England 1

Elanga beat the most expensive goalkeeper currently. Photo: Reuters.

The charm with coach Rangnick

Coach Rangnick "dotted" Elanga right at the time of landing at MU. In the German captain's debut against Crystal Palace, Elanga played 14 minutes. The role of the Swedish striker at MU is increasingly important when in the last 8 rounds in the Premier League, he has all played.

BBC journalist Simon Stones revealed that the trust that coach Rangnick gave to Elanga was not temporary. From a few years ago, coach Rangnick "watched" Elanga through videos on YouTube while working at Leipzig.

MU has planned to loan Elanga in the mid-season transfer window of 2021/22. But the German captain was especially impressed with Elanga right after the first training session and decided to keep this talent at MU.

Elanga was promoted to the first team by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during the tour before the 2020/21 season. He was launched on the field by Solskjaer from the bench in the confrontation with West Ham (League Cup). But in general, Elanga's appearance in the MU first team this season is just to practice and wait for the opportunity.

When coach Rangnick took over the "hot seat" at Old Trafford, Elanga moved up a step to become a strategic reserve of MU's attack. Now, coach Rangnick prioritizes using Elanga over Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata. In some matches, Elanga is even more trusted than Marcus Rashford.

Elanga scored 2 goals in the last 8 matches to play for MU. The first goal was the moment he opened the scoring in MU's match against Brentford. Elanga's next goal helped MU finish Leeds 4-2. And the shot against Atletico is the most important goal Elanga has ever scored in his career.

Elanga is not as famous in the MU academy as Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford. But there are two factors that coach Rangnick appreciates the 19-year-old striker is physically superior to his peers and professionalism on the football field.

Elanga played 15 minutes against Atletico and partly helped MU's game improve. Speed ​​and stamina allow Elanga to balance the two roles of attack and support. Just like that, the effect Elanga brought to MU surpassed Rashford and Jadon Sancho.