In the unpredictable world of football transfers, some choices come back to haunt clubs — and Manchester United may be feeling just that with the sale of Anthony Elanga. Once considered a promising product of the club’s youth system, Elanga was allowed to leave Old Trafford in 2023 after being branded a disappointment. Yet fast forward less than two seasons, and the Swedish winger is shining at Nottingham Forest, outperforming even Wolves’ £44 million striker Matheus Cunha.
Elanga’s journey began with promise. After joining United’s academy at just 12 years old, he swiftly climbed the ranks and made his senior debut under Ole Gunnar Solskjær in 2021. He showed glimpses of potential, including a Champions League goal against Atlético Madrid, but never became a consistent presence. By the 2022–23 campaign, Elanga found himself sidelined under Erik ten Hag, with new signings like Antony and Jadon Sancho pushing him further down the pecking order. After finishing the season with no goals and only two assists in 26 appearances, mostly from the bench, United let him go for £15 million.
Few expected his resurgence. At Forest, Elanga has flourished under a system that plays to his strengths — pace, directness, and space on the counter. By May of the 2024/25 season, he had racked up eight goals and nine assists, contributing directly to 40% of Forest’s Premier League goals. His performances have earned plaudits, not just for the numbers, but for his all-round maturity: improved timing, composure, and defensive work rate — areas he struggled with at United.
Meanwhile, Matheus Cunha, a marquee signing for Wolves from Atlético Madrid, has struggled with consistency and fitness. Despite his price tag, Cunha has managed only six goals and five assists in the league — a return that Elanga has comfortably surpassed, all while playing for a side battling relegation. This contrast raises questions about the decision-making processes in Premier League clubs: why invest so heavily in unproven imports when there are capable young talents already in the league?
United’s decision to part ways with Elanga is particularly questionable given the issues they’ve had in wide attacking positions. Injuries, poor form, and disciplinary problems have plagued players like Sancho and Antony. With Marcus Rashford also enduring a rocky campaign and loan reinforcements underwhelming, a player like Elanga — now a confident and reliable Premier League performer — could have been a valuable asset. Even club legend Rio Ferdinand noted this missed opportunity, highlighting how Elanga has thrived with consistent playing time and belief at Forest.
This situation also casts a harsh light on the transfer approach taken during Ed Woodward’s reign. While he presided over headline-grabbing purchases, there was often little emphasis on nurturing homegrown players. Talents like James Garner and Angel Gomes were also let go without being fully integrated, suggesting a pattern where short-term fixes were prioritized over long-term development.
Elanga’s success now serves as a stark reminder that sometimes the solution isn’t a big-name signing. Sometimes, it’s a player already in your ranks, just waiting for a chance. As Manchester United enters a new era under INEOS and Ruben Amorim, Elanga’s story is one worth reflecting on. Letting go of a £15 million academy graduate who’s now outperforming a £44 million striker might be more than just a transfer oversight — it might be a symptom of a broader failure to trust in the talent they themselves helped create.
