Anthony Elanga

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Anthony Elanga
Elanga with Sweden in 2023
Personal information
Full name Anthony David Junior Elanga[1]
Date of birth (2002-04-27) 27 April 2002 (age 21)[2]
Place of birth Malmö, Sweden
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Forward, winger
Team information
Current team
 Nottingham Forest
Number 21
Youth career
0000–2014 IF Elfsborg
2014 Malmö FF
2014 Hattersley
2014–2021 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2023 Manchester United 39 (3)
2023– Nottingham Forest 32 (5)
International career‡
2018–2019 Sweden U17 5 (2)
2019 Sweden U19 3 (0)
2021– Sweden U21 8 (7)
2022– Sweden 15 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:36, 21 April 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:27, 25 March 2024 (UTC)

Anthony David Junior Elanga (born 27 April 2002) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Premier League club Nottingham Forest and the Sweden national team.

Elanga joined the Manchester United youth system aged 12 and won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in 2020. He made his senior debut for the club in a Premier League game against Leicester City in May 2021. He represented Sweden at under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels, before making his senior national team debut in 2022.

Personal life[edit]

Elanga was born in the Hyllie ward of Malmö (now part of Väster), Sweden, when his father Joseph Elanga was playing for Malmö FF. He is fluent in three languages: Swedish, English and French.[3][4]

Club career[edit]

Manchester United[edit]

Youth[edit]

After playing for IF Elfsborg and Malmö FF in Sweden,[5] Elanga's family moved to England and settled in Manchester. Elanga briefly played for local club Hattersley, and was scouted by both Manchester City and Manchester United before joining United at the age of 12.[6][7]

Elanga made his debut for the Manchester United under-18s at the age of 15 in a 2–1 away defeat to Liverpool in April 2018.[8] He signed as an academy scholar at Manchester United in July 2018,[9] and scored four goals in 22 appearances in his first full season playing for the Under-18s.[10]

The following season, Elanga played twice for the Under-21s in the EFL Trophy, both as a substitute. He finished the COVID-shortened season as the Under-18s' top scorer in the league with seven goals in nine appearances, and won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award.[11] He played four times for the club's under-21 side in the 2020–21 EFL Trophy, scoring twice.

2020–21 season[edit]

Elanga made his first-team debut for United in a pre-season friendly against Aston Villa ahead of the 2020–21 Premier League season; he came on as a substitute for Marcus Rashford in the 75th minute of a 1–0 defeat. After signing a new long-term contract with the club in March 2021,[12] Elanga was called up to the first team for the 2020–21 UEFA Europa League quarter-final matches against Granada in April 2021, but was an unused substitute in both legs, as well as in the second leg of the semi-final against Roma on 6 May. He made his competitive debut for the club on 11 May in a Premier League match against Leicester City.[3] Elanga was replaced by Marcus Rashford in the 66th minute as United lost 2–1.[13]

Elanga started once again, away to Wolverhampton Wanderers on the final day of the league season and scored his first senior Manchester United goal after just 13 minutes.[14]

2021–22 season[edit]

Elanga warming up for Manchester United in 2022

Elanga scored his second league goal for Manchester United on 19 January 2022 in a 3–1 away win against Brentford,[15] his first of the season.[16] On 4 February that year, Elanga missed his team's last penalty in a 8–7 shootout against Middlesbrough during their FA Cup tie, knocking Manchester United out of the Cup for the season.[17] On 20 February, in a game against Leeds United, Elanga was hit on the head by an object thrown at him by a spectator. Minutes before the end of the game Elanga scored his second league goal of the season.[18] On 23 February, Elanga scored his first UEFA Champions League goal against Atlético Madrid in the Round of 16 first leg, the final score was 1–1.[19]

Nottingham Forest[edit]

On 25 July 2023, it was announced that Elanga had signed a five-year deal with Nottingham Forest for a reported £15 million transfer fee.[20][21][22] He scored his first goal in a 1–0 away win against Chelsea on 2 September.[23]

International career[edit]

Elanga was eligible to play for Sweden, Cameroon or England at international level.[24] He has represented Sweden at under-17, under-19, under-21 and senior levels.[25]

Elanga played five times for the Sweden under-17 team and scored two goals, both against France in the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.[25] He played his first game for the Sweden under-21 team and scored one goal in a friendly against Finland on 3 June 2021.[26]

Elanga chose to represent Sweden at a senior level, citing being born and having spent the majority of his life there, as well as the country meaning a lot to him as the reasons behind his decision.[27] He was named in the international squad of Janne Andersson for the World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic in March 2022, where he also made his debut as a late-game substitute.[28][29]

Elanga scored his first goal at senior international level on 5 June 2022 in a 1–2 loss against Norway in a 2022–23 UEFA Nations League B game.[30]

Career statistics[edit]

Club[edit]

As of match played 21 April 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester United U21 2019–20[31] — — — — — 2[a] 0 2 0
2020–21[32] — — — — — 4[a] 2 4 2
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 2 6 2
Manchester United 2020–21[32] Premier League 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 1
2021–22[33] Premier League 21 2 2 0 1 0 3[b] 1 — 27 3
2022–23[34] Premier League 16 0 1 0 4 0 5[c] 0 — 26 0
Total 39 3 3 0 5 0 8 1 0 0 55 4
Nottingham Forest 2023–24[35] Premier League 32 5 2 0 1 0 — — 35 5
Career total 71 8 5 0 6 0 8 1 6 2 96 11
  1. ^ a b Appearances in EFL Trophy
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International[edit]

As of match played 25 March 2024[36]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Sweden 2022 9 1
2023 4 2
2024 2 0
Total 15 3

Scores and results list Sweden's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Elanga goal.

List of international goals scored by Anthony Elanga
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 5 June 2022 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden  Norway 1–2 1–2 2022–23 UEFA Nations League B
2 27 March 2023 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden  Azerbaijan 5–0 5–0 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
3 16 June 2023 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden  New Zealand 4–1 4–1 Friendly

Honours[edit]

Manchester United

Individual

References[edit]

  1. ^ "2021/22 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 10 September 2021. Archived from the original on 10 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Anthony Elanga: Overview". Premier League. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b Wood, Liam (11 May 2021). "Who is Anthony Elanga? Manchester United youngster in profile as he makes debut vs Leicester City". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  4. ^ Fagerlund, Frida (25 February 2022). "Så blev Anthony Elanga Sveriges nya stjärna – var nära att lämna Manchester United". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Elanga efter landslagsdebuten" [Elanga after the national team debut]. svenskfotboll.se (in Swedish). Svenska Fotbollförbundet (SvFF). 5 September 2018. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Elanga efter landslagsdebuten – Svensk fotboll". svenskfotboll.se (in Swedish). 5 September 2018. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  7. ^ ""Otroligt hög nivå – jag har inga ord för det"" ["Incredibly high level – I have no words for it"]. aftonbladet.se (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. 16 April 2021. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  8. ^ Marshall, Adam (16 August 2018). "Lessons learned ahead of Liverpool". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  9. ^ Marshall, Adam (6 July 2018). "United's academy intake for 2018/19". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  10. ^ Marshall, Adam (20 June 2019). "Elanga learns from tournament experience". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  11. ^ Marshall, Adam (17 September 2020). "Elanga wins prestigious Jimmy Murphy award". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  12. ^ "Elanga signs new United contract". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 16 March 2021. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  13. ^ Stone, Simon (11 May 2021). "Man City Premier League champions as Leicester City beat Manchester United". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  14. ^ Rose, Gary (23 May 2021). "Wolves 1–2 Manchester United: Nuno Espirito Santo beaten in final game". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  15. ^ "Brentford v Man Utd, 2021/22". Premier League. 19 January 2022. Archived from the original on 14 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  16. ^ McNulty, Phil (19 January 2022). "Brentford 1–3 Man Utd: Marcus Rashford gives visitors comfortable win". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  17. ^ Stone, Simon (4 February 2022). "Man Utd stunned by Middlesbrough after FA Cup shootout defeat". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 4 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  18. ^ Fältskär, Cesar (20 February 2022). "Anthony Elanga målskytt mot Leeds i Premier League". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  19. ^ Bernstein, Dan (23 February 2022). "Watch: Elanga scores Man Utd equaliser against Atletico Madrid in Champions League last 16". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  20. ^ "Forest complete signing of Anthony Elanga". Nottingham Forest F.C. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  21. ^ "Elanga moves to Nottingham Forest". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  22. ^ "Anthony Elanga: Nottingham Forest sign Sweden forward from Man Utd". BBC Sport. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  23. ^ Summerscales, Robert (2 September 2023). "Mauricio Pochettino Suffers First Chelsea Loss As Nottingham Forest Earn Rare Win At Stamford Bridge". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  24. ^ "Så påverkar Victor Nilsson Lindelöf talangens landslagsval" [This is how Victor Nilsson Lindelöf influences the talent's national team choice]. aftonbladet.se (in Swedish). 5 June 2021. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  25. ^ a b "Anthony Elanga – Spelarstatistik". Svensk Fotboll (SvFF). Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  26. ^ "United-talangens nya succé – slår till för Sverige". www.aftonbladet.se. 3 June 2021. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  27. ^ Flinck, Johan (22 March 2022). "Fotbolls-VM: Anthony Elanga: "Därför valde jag Sverige"". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  28. ^ "Sveriges trupp till VM-playoff – Anthony Elanga uttagen" (in Swedish). Expressen. 16 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  29. ^ "Sverige är klart för play-off-final till VM 2022. Vann mot Tjeckien" (in Swedish). Expressen. 24 March 2022. Archived from the original on 24 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  30. ^ "1–2 förlust mot Norge". Svensk Fotboll (in Swedish). 5 June 2022. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  31. ^ "Games played by Anthony Elanga in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  32. ^ a b "Games played by Anthony Elanga in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  33. ^ "Games played by Anthony Elanga in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  34. ^ "Games played by Anthony Elanga in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  35. ^ "Games played by Anthony Elanga in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  36. ^ "Anthony Elanga". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  37. ^ McNulty, Phil (3 June 2023). "Manchester City 2–1 Manchester United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  38. ^ Stone, Simon (26 May 2021). "Villarreal 1–1 Manchester United (11–10 on pens): David de Gea spot kick saved in epic Europa League final shootout". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 7 June 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  39. ^ Marshall, Adam (17 September 2020). "Anthony Elanga wins Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2022.

External links[edit]

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