Whilst he featured in 55 games for Manchester United and was seen by former interim manager Ralf Rangnick as a player that the club should build their first team around, the truth of the matter is that Anthony Elanga was never more than a bit-part player during his time at Old Trafford.
Once Rangnick’s successor, Erik ten Hag, was appointed, he was quickly sidelined and given appearances that were few and far between, with it clear that the former Ajax head coach never rated him in the same way.
As a result, it came as little surprise when Manchester United accepted an offer from Nottingham Forest to sign the Sweden international in the summer of 2023, with Elanga penning a five-year deal at the City Ground.
Whilst some might have initially raised eyebrows at the move, time has shown that it was a smart piece of business by Nuno Espírito Santo’s outfit.
Elanga quickly established himself as a key part of the Portuguese coach’s tactics and became a player that the club simply can’t be without.
With that in mind, this tactical analysis will take a closer look at why Elanga has become so irreplaceable for his current employers.
The scout report will highlight his strengths in different areas of the field and show where he can continue to improve as he and Nottingham Forest attempt to challenge for even more in the future.
Anthony Elanga Wing Play
While Anthony Elanga has operated in a variety of positions during his time at Nottingham Forest, there is no doubt that where he is most at home is on the wing.
He has spent the majority of his career playing in this position, and his key attributes have proven vital in propelling his team up the Premier League standings.

One of the things that particularly stands out is his pace, which Elanga looks to use at every opportunity.
With that in mind, it has been common to see him staying in advanced spaces but also dropping into deeper areas, meaning that he can turn and run and attempt to exploit any gaps that opponents leave exposed.


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