Erik ten Hag missed out on Man Utd "bargain" as transfer decision reviewed

30 December 2023 , 20:49

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Erik ten Hag missed out on Man Utd "bargain" as transfer decision reviewed

Erik ten Hag has been criticised by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp for allowing Anthony Elanga to leave Manchester United in the summer.

The Dutchman gave Elanga, 21, the green light to join Nottingham Forest in a £15million deal in the build-up to the 2023/24 campaign but the Sweden international has outshone most of United's wingers since moving on.

Elanga, an Old Trafford academy graduate, has accumulated four goals and five assists in 19 Premier League appearances for Forest this season while the likes of Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho have all struggled to make an impact in Ten Hag's team.

And ahead of Elanga's reunion with United, Redknapp, who was analysing Saturday night's match, questioned Ten Hag's decision to stick with the likes of Antony ahead of the Nottingham Forest man.

Michael Dawson, a former Forest player, started off by signing Elanga's praises. He said: "You have to set-up right. He was a substitute early on in his Forest career and now he is starting games, and now you think of how to manage him and how he can beat a full-back. He likes to run in behind, and if Manchester United go tight against him, they have to turn in behind."

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Redknapp then chimed in, adding: "If you look at the current climate of players and how much they cost, he looks like a real bargain. Antony on the other hand, has cost four times as much and he [Elanga] gives you more opportunities going forward, he scores and makes more goals.

Join the debate! Did Man Utd make a mistake by letting Elanga go? Let us know here.

Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga has been in fine form since leaving Manchester United in the summer (Getty Images)

"Whenever you play against your former side, you want to show them. He will look forward to going up against [Diogo] Dalot today and taking him on."

Elanga was restricted to just 48 minutes of action in the Premier League during the 2022/23 campaign; a factor which played a big role in his decision to leave United.

He alluded to that in his exit statement on social media, where he posted a heartfelt message to United fans. Elanga said: "It is the right time now for the perfect next step in my career. I’m someone who lives for football and I need to be on the pitch every week doing what I love. I’m 100 per cent ready to get started, excited for what comes next and as determined as ever to succeed! Thank you @manchesterunited."

Dan Marsh