Anthony Elanga barely celebrated. A muted reaction, a composed demeanor—but as he wheeled away after slotting home a sensational solo goal against Manchester United, a hint of a smile betrayed his quiet satisfaction.
The Swedish winger had just delivered a devastating reminder of what United discarded, sealing Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 victory and pushing his former club further into crisis.
Elanga’s journey from an overlooked academy graduate to a rising star at Forest is a cautionary tale for United, whose missteps in player development continue to haunt them.
Once deemed surplus to requirements, the 21-year-old has become a pivotal figure in Nuno Espirito Santo’s high-flying Forest side, which now sits comfortably in the Premier League’s top four and looks set to secure Champions League football next season.
Meanwhile, United, once an English football powerhouse, faces the humiliating prospect of finishing in the bottom half of the table for the first time since 1990.
Anthony Elanga’s Moment of Redemption
His goal was nothing short of breathtaking. Picking up the ball deep in Forest’s half, Anthony Elanga turned on the afterburners, covering 85 meters in just nine seconds, leaving Alejandro Garnacho trailing in his wake.
With ice-cool composure, he passed the ball into the net past André Onana, securing Forest’s first league double over United in more than three decades.
“It’s about attacking the space and getting to the opposite goal as quickly as I can,” Elanga told TNT Sports after the match.
“I saw the space and I believe I’m one of the fastest players in the league. The finish is something I have been trying to work on. Left foot or right foot, I am quite comfortable with both this season.”
While Forest celebrated, United fans could only watch in frustration. The electric counter-attack, the hunger, the composure—Elanga had showcased exactly the kind of qualities they now sorely lack in their squad.
United’s Costly Mistake?
In the summer of 2023, when United sold Anthony Elanga to Forest for £15 million, there was little resistance from fans.
The Swedish international had spent nearly a decade at Old Trafford but was never fully trusted to develop into a first-team regular.
Fast-forward to 2025, and his transformation into a top Premier League attacker now feels like a glaring misjudgment by United’s hierarchy.
“In Manchester United, you don’t have the time, will not have the time. We have to get it right fast.”
“You are not talking about players that didn’t play for Manchester United. They were here playing for Manchester United. Here, the pressure is too big sometimes.”
Elanga’s rise is not an isolated case. Marcus Rashford, who left United for Aston Villa on loan in January, has rediscovered his form and is preparing for a Champions League quarterfinal.
Antony, a £90 million signing who failed to live up to expectations, is now impressing at Real Betis. The pattern is clear: away from United’s relentless scrutiny, discarded players are thriving.
A Warning for United’s Future
United’s struggles run deeper than just letting talented players slip away. Their recruitment in the last decade has been alarmingly ineffective.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, only Bruno Fernandes stands out as a truly successful signing.
Even in defeat, Fernandes was United’s best player against Forest, but his influence was limited as Amorim’s side lacked cutting edge in the final third.
Despite enjoying 70% possession, United’s attacking efforts were largely toothless. Matz Sels, Forest’s goalkeeper, faced 23 shots but was rarely troubled.
Diogo Dalot’s looping header that hit the crossbar and Harry Maguire’s last-gasp shot cleared off the line were the closest United came to an equalizer.
“We created some chances but could create more with the possession that we had. In the final third, we were not good enough,” Amorim admitted.
Desperate for goals, United resorted to throwing Maguire up front as an emergency striker—another glaring sign of their attacking deficiencies.
Amorim’s Challenge: Getting It Right Before It’s Too Late
United’s summer rebuild now looks even more crucial. Amorim must identify the right signings while avoiding the mistakes of his predecessors.
The club has spent over £1 billion on transfers since Ferguson’s departure, yet their decline has only deepened.
Elanga’s resurgence serves as a painful reminder that United’s problems are not just about bringing in new talent but nurturing and trusting the ones they already have.
As Forest marches toward Champions League football, United are left wondering: did they let go of a player who could have been part of their revival?
