14 June 2023 , 18:08
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Anthony Elanga has told Erik ten Hag that he is ready should he be called upon amid doubt over his future.
The Manchester United academy graduate is one of a clutch of players that could leave Old Trafford this summer. Rumours surrounding his future at Old Trafford intensified earlier this week.
Sweden teammate Emil Forsberg suggested that he was attempting to manufacture a switch to German giants RB Leipzig. Speaking to Fotboll Skanalen whilst on international duty, the midfielder said: "I will sit down with the president, with Oliver [Mintzlaff], here soon and see what we should do.
"I have spoken to Anthony. But it stays between us," Forsberg continued. "I know Anthony quite well, so it's quite normal if it were to come up.
"But he is a young and talented player who fits in with us. We have been good at developing young and talented players."
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Elanga has now responded to Forsberg’s claims. The 21-year-old admitted that his 2022/23 season had been tricky but he was always ready to be called upon.
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He said: “It’s been hard but I can’t control it, it’s just a matter of being strong in the head and showing that I’m ready when the coach wants me to play, but right now the season is over, and it was a good season for the club.”
When asked specifically about Forsberg’s comments, the youngster replied: “It is always nice to hear praise from Emil, who I know very well. Emil has won everything, he is a legend in Leipzig and a legend in Sweden. Hearing such praise from him is something that makes me laugh and smile. But right now I’m focusing on the matches with Sweden and then we’ll see what happens after.”
Elanga was then asked whether he was learning to speak German amid links with Leipzig, to which he had a cheeky retort. He said: “It’s up to me, you’ll see.”
The young forward initially broke through into the United first-team during the 2020/21 season under former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Since then, he has made 55 appearances in all competitions but has just four goals and four assists to his name.
Elanga has three years left to run on his contract at Old Trafford. He looks likely to play for Sweden over the next few weeks.
Having already received ten caps for his national side, he could add to that collection with outings against New Zealand and Austria, the latter being a qualifier for the European championships set to take place in Germany next year.