Anthony Elanga has openly acknowledged his determination to showcase his abilities against his former club, Manchester United, during the weekend clash in which Nottingham Forest secured a surprising Premier League victory.
Having joined United at the age of 12 when his family relocated from Sweden to England, Elanga played a crucial role in Nottingham Forest’s triumph, providing the assist for Morgan Gibbs-White’s winning goal. The victory marked Forest’s first over the inconsistent Red Devils since December 1994.
Despite making 55 first-team appearances for United, Elanga struggled to establish himself as a key player and was eventually sold to Forest in July for approximately £15 million. Reflecting on his time at United, where he faced challenges with sporadic playing time, Elanga emphasized the personal significance of the game against his former club.
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Last season was particularly challenging for the 21-year-old, who endured periods of limited playing time. However, he expressed gratitude for the support of his family during tough times. Elanga viewed the match against United as a personal opportunity to prove his capability at higher levels.
Acknowledging Nottingham Forest for bringing him in, Elanga praised former manager Steve Cooper, although he noted that Nuno Espirito Santo and his staff had taken over and performed exceptionally well.
Elanga played a significant role in the win at the City Ground, contributing an assist to his recent performances. He highlighted his improved involvement at Forest compared to his time at United, where he was mainly a fringe player.
The loss to Nottingham Forest left Manchester United in seventh place in the Premier League table as they entered 2024. It was the ninth league defeat for Erik ten Hag’s team, equaling the number from the previous season with 18 games still to play. This surpasses the club’s historical record of never losing more than 12 times in a single Premier League campaign.