Anthony Elanga has been a regular bright spot for Manchester Unitedduring a turbulent season.

United began the season optimistic, with three big additions and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the helm following his contract extension in July.

March has arrived. Solskjaer has long since departed, and his replacement, Ralf Rangnick, will follow suit at the end of the season, with the club eager to reset.

Elanga broke through late last season under Solskjaer and has continued to improve under Rangnick.

He owes both for advancing his budding career, which is certain to flourish under whoever assumes the helm this summer.

Family affair

Originally from Malmo, Sweden, Elanga was born in April 2002.

As a result of the fact that his father Joseph was a professional football player, football was always an option for him to follow.
Joseph was a left back for Cameroon at the 1998 World Cup in France, and he has a significant impact on Elanga's decision to pursue professional football.

""He's the reason I fell in love with football," he told the Twistok.comin November 2020, "despite the fact that we play in different positions."

"He was a difficult guy, and he remains such today. The good thing about him is that he'll tell me what I did well and where I can improve after each game. You can't just unwind with one game, therefore you need something to keep you going.

"There is always room for improvement. He's a great source of inspiration."

Anthony Elanga was a standout performer in Manchester United's academy (Photo courtesy of Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

After his family relocated from Sweden to Manchester when he was 11 years old, and after being spotted by both of the city's clubs, Elanga signed with Manchester United when he was 12 years old.

Elanga modeled his game after that of Thierry Henry from an early age since he aspired to be a flexible player who could play in any position throughout the front line.

While his speed was the most eye-catching characteristic when he first arrived at United's academy, it was something else that made him stand out once he joined the club.

'The greatest possible effort'

Anthony Elanga is the next to follow in the footsteps of Marcus Rashford. Tom Purslow/Getty Images) (Image: )
Elanga was drafted into the under-18s squad for the 2018/19 season after completing the club's academy program.

His reputation began to take off at this point, both on and off the field..

In 2020, Elanga won United's renowned Jimmy Murphy Young Player Of The Year award, following in the likes of Danny Welbeck and Marcus Rashford.

That was the result of a long string of excellent performances and a strong work ethic.

AFC Wimbledon's under-18 head coach Neil Ryan described Anthony as "very devoted and constantly puts in the maximum effort, whether that is in his studies, training or recovery work," according to the club's official website at the time.

At the moment, "he has become more consistent on the pitch, consistently displaying his quickness, flare and finishing ability while also gaining in his work ethic."

Travis Binnion, United's under-18s coach, has a story to tell about his unwavering goal to be the best version of himself.

"We had to gather at Carrington at 6 a.m. to be at the airport an hour later when we played at Atalanta in the Youth League," he told The Athletic.

When we arrived at Carrington at 4 a.m., we noticed Anthony in the gym, stretching and working out. The first coach to arrive was shocked when he saw the time: 4:45 a.m.
Because he thought he had to prepare the same way every round, regardless of the time, he did this for every round. That has been with me ever since. A football fanatic, he's a great child."

Now that Elanga had established himself as a star in the club's academy, he was now attracting attention from outside the club.

Gary Neville compared him to Thierry Henry after a 6-0 hammering of Salford City in the EFL Trophy for Manchester United's under-21s in September 2020.

Under Solskjaer, it was because of his consistently impressive performances that he was promoted to the next level.

Breakthrough

Elanga was promoted to practice with the first team ahead of the 2020/21 season and made his debut against Aston Villa in a pre-season friendly.

Solskjaer was thrilled by what he saw from the young Swedish forward, although he would not make his first United debut until May 2021, against Leicester.

 This was partially as a result of a shoulder injury experienced in January. However, rather than allowing the setback to hold him back, Elanga utilized it as incentive.

 According to a story in the Manchester Evening News, he is committed to returning fitter and stronger.

 Elanga got a private coach and stepped up his workouts in order to increase his muscular bulk and ease the transition to first team football.
Anthony Elanga has been a relentless worker at the gym (Photo courtesy of @anthonyelanga / Instagram).

His training included cryotherapy with the express goal of increasing his explosive pace and jump height.

 Clearly, it worked. Elanga was named to the squad for the Europa League quarter-finals against Granada in April 2021 and won plaudits from Solskjaer for his performance.

 "Of course, I have faith in the young players, and in Anthony, we have a player with good talents, a positive mentality, who scores goals from the right or left flanks and has good pace," he explained.

 "He has an appetite and a desire to improve, and he has not been intimidated by it while training with us. He is assured. He is not merely here for the experience; he is prepared to take on a role if necessary."

 Elanga capped up the 2020/21 season with his first senior goal against Wolves and has proceeded to climb the pecking order over the off-season.

 Rangnick's support

Anthony Elanga has impressed Ralf Rangnick.
On the surface, Solskjaer's November dismissal appeared to pose a dilemma for Elanga; the Norwegian had provided him with his breakthrough and plenty of support.

However, Rangnick's appointment as interim manager provided a fresh start for all players - and Elanga instantly impressed.

 "I have to say, he showed up from the very first day of my first training session," Rangnick told BBC Sport.

 "I'd heard of him previously, and I was in my hotel room viewing YouTube footage of him. I thought this young man was exceptional.

 "He was on the verge of being loaned out. 'You will not be loaned out, you will remain here,' I told him. He has grown as a result of his instruction."

 With Cristiano Ronaldo now 37, Edinson Cavani 35, Anthony Martial on loan at Sevilla, Marcus Rashford off of form, and Mason Greenwood injured, Elanga has been thrown into the limelight.

Anthony Elanga has emerged as a key player for Manchester United this season (Photo courtesy of David S. Bustamante/Getty Images)
Under Rangnick's leadership, Elanga has been given a more crucial and prominent role in the United team, which may come as a surprise to some.

The 19-year-old has been involved in each of United's previous 13 matches heading into Saturday's meeting against Tottenham, and he has scored three goals in 16 outings so far this season. United face Tottenham at Old Trafford.

 Already, he has scored what has the potential to be a historic goal, netting in the 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of United's Champions League last-16 campaign against the Spanish giants last month.

 His meteoric rise appears to be due as much to his undeniable talent as it does to his outgoing demeanor.

 "He's a really intelligent lad," Rangnick said following the 1-0 win against Aston Villa in January. "He's doing the things that he should be doing and trying to put all of that effort into his performances," Rangnick added.