Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga insists that he knows nothing about reports linking him with a loan move to Premier League rivals Everton towards the end of the summer transfer window, speaking to Fotboll Skanalen.
It’s difficult not to feel some sympathy for Elanga.
The 20-year-old Carrington graduate was one of United’s few bright sparks during a dismal start to the season under Erik Ten Hag. In fact, it was he who sparked the club’s recent resurgence, setting up Jadon Sancho’s goal during that pressure-easing, kick-starting 2-1 victory over arch rivals Liverpool in August.
The £82 million arrival of Antony, however, leaves Elanga back on the bench again. And that may be where he stays, with a rumoured loan move to Everton, via the Daily Mail, coming to nothing.
Anthony Elanga will stay at Manchester United
“I hadn’t actually heard that,” the 20-year-old Sweden international says when quizzed on those Everton links. “My focus is on United. We will see what happens in the future.”
Elanga could still have an important part to play in Man United’s season, however. Especially given the tight-knit nature of the schedule and those European commitments. He played 80 minutes in United’s two Europa League group-stage fixtures so far.
“It is important to have good competition in the team,” Elanga adds. “It is good. We are all young and we have a lot of games this year.”
“If I have to say one thing (that Ten Hag has improved at Man United), it’s attitude. Our attitude has improved a lot. We are more focused and know what to do. We play as a team.”
Everton did, of course, sign one Manchester United academy graduate before September’s transfer deadline. Former Nottingham Forest loanee James Garner joined in a £14 million deal. Garner has endured an injury-hit time at Goodison Park so far, however, and is yet to make his Premier League debut under Frank Lampard.
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