Anthony Elanga continues to burst onto the scene at Manchester United after his latest game-changing cameo against Atletico Madrid.
Elanga replaced Marcus Rashford in the 75th minute at the Wanda Metropolitano. Five minutes later, he scored, slicing a pass from Bruno Fernandes past a poorly positioned Jan Oblak.
“He plays with no fear,” Rio Ferdinand said on BT Sport. “He goes out there and all he wants to do is impress, he’s desperate to go out there and put his name in the lights.
“There’s an honesty to his game. That raw honesty that you love when you see a young player coming in. That willingness to run for balls that others would consider maybe dead balls.”
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Rashford too found himself the topic of post-match analysis. Paul Scholes in the studio described him as looking “anxious” and “trying almost too hard every time the ball comes to him”.
Cristiano Ronaldo was once touted as a mentor who could teach Rashford the tricks of the trade. Instead, the England international has appeared to lack confidence, even after his goals in consecutive games against Brentford and West Ham in January.
Meanwhile Elanga, despite his missed penalty against Middlesbrough which led to United’s elimination from the FA Cup, has been relishing every chance he has been given to make an impact.
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The direct comparisons between the two United left-sided forwards were bound to arise, if only from supporters.
The reality is that they are at completely different stages of their careers, dealing with very different circumstances. Rashford’s own career started in explosive fashion and it is hardly cause for alarm that after a series of injuries and an intensely pressurised Euro 2020, he is suffering a dip in form.
Ralf Rangnick will no doubt be reluctant to thrust Elanga into too many games too soon, but United’s attack is undoubtedly stronger for having both on board. At the very least, he can ease the reliance on Rashford until he is back to his best.
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