Manchester United are struggling for creativity, inspiration and firepower and the club's wingers have largely been to blame. Marcus Rashford seems to have one foot out of Old Trafford, Antony is Antony, and Alejandro Garnacho is still growing. The only one of Ruben Amorim's current crop who is impressing out wide is Amad Diallo.
However, Amorim had no say over United's decision to sell Anthony Elanga in July 2023. The Swede had been a prominent member of Erik ten Hag's team the season before, making 26 appearances and providing two assists.
Manchester United fans saw the potential in Elanga, and so did former caretaker manager Ralf Rangnick. The German coach integrated the youngster into his Red Devils team before Ten Hag's arrival, even putting him ahead of Rashford. It's now exasperating to watch the exciting winger flourish at Nottingham Forest.
Anthony Elanga is just what Manchester United are missing at the moment
Elanga has been a man in form for the high-flying Forest this season, bagging three goals and as many assists in 19 Premier League games. Nuno Espirito Santo's Tricky Trees are second in the league, while United are scrapping in the bottom half of the table, sitting 14th.
The Swede's direct approach and his eagerness to take his man on has earned major plaudits at the City Ground. This was on display throughout his short spell in United's senior team but Ten Hag preferred to part ways for a mere £15 million.
Gary Neville: (Elanga) Better Than Some Of The Ones He's Left Behind
Elanga gave United a torrid time when Forest beat the Red Devils 2-1 in December 2023. It was a case of the same old story when they visited Old Trafford earlier this month as the Tricky Trees won 3-2. He was again impressive in that game and has more than proven a point to Ten Hag and the now-former recruitment team.
Gary Neville covered Forest's win against the Red Devils a year ago and he questioned whether the club had upgraded on Elanga. He said (via Metro):
"You have to question whether he’s better than some of the ones he’s left behind. The money they’ve spent in wide areas. Sancho was £70-odd million, Antony £90m and Elanga gone!"
Since leaving Manchester United, Anthony Elanga has scored or assisted TWENTY goals in the Premier League, 18 more than Antony has managed in the same period.
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 29, 2024
We got the wrong Anthony... ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/3bozyyyVgk
Neville wasn't wrong as Jadon Sancho joined from Borussia Dortmund in a £74 million deal and completely flopped. A run in with Ten Hag made his place at United untenable and he was sent to Chelsea on loan last summer with an obligation to buy for £25 million.
Antony became United's second most expensive signing in history when Ten Hag insisted on bringing his former Ajax winger to Old Trafford. A hefty £86 million fee was paid for a Brazilian attacker who has been woeful.
Imagine a world where none of that money was spent and United were happy to proceed with Elanga as one of their options on the wing? That saves the club around £158 million and allows the Reds to strengthen in other key areas.