Anthony Elanga breaks silence on Man United 'decision' as he talks up Champions League at Nottingham Forest
03/23/2025 02:00 PM
Nottingham Forest star Anthony Elanga has been a tremendous signing for the club since checking in from Manchester United.
Since bagging a winning goal against Aston Villa in December, Elanga has rediscovered his best form and has won a place back on the Sweden reckoning.
The 22-year-old signed for Forest for just £15 million from the Red Devils in the summer of 2023 – much to the surprise of the fan base.
His first season playing regularly in the Premier League went well with Elanga scoring five goals and claiming nine assists across the 2023/24 campaign.
This season, he’s already matched those numbers with nine games of the season remaining and there is more to come from the winger.
In the summer, Newcastle tried to snare Elanga from Forest but Evangelos Marinakis stood firm and that decision now looks justified.
Anthony Elanga breaks silence on Manchester United decision
Leaving United – the club where he’d come through the youth ranks – wasn’t an easy thing to do for Elanga.
However, playing regular games was a huge factor in his decision and he knew that moving to Forest would allow him the chance to do that.
He’s now been quizzed on this by Fotballskanalen and he believes that he’s made the right decision to move away from Old Trafford.
He said: “United are one of the best teams in the world. I still love the club. I watch their games and they have a special place in my heart. When I see them not doing very well, it hurts a little.
“I think I made a good decision. I’m happy about it. We’re doing pretty well at Forest, hopefully, we’ll finish as high as possible. We can do even better. I know all the players in the squad and I know we can be even better.
“We have nine important games left. Many people are talking about Europe (Champions League) and that is a possibility but we have to win our games.”
Elanga epitomises Forest progress
The 22-year-old hasn’t sulked at having to leave Manchester United and he’s grown as a footballer under both Steve Cooper and Nuno Espirito Santo at Forest.
Elanga is part of a core of players who have started to really come alive under Espirito Santo and he gives his all in every single game.
Although the winger has been linked with a move away from Forest previously, it’s imperative that the head coach builds his squad around players with the commitment to the cause that Elanga has.
The summer is going to be massive for Forest if Champions League football is secured but first and foremost, the Reds must do whatever they can to keep the likes of Elanga on Trentside.
