Ex-Man Utd coach slams club for ‘closing the door’ on Anthony Elanga as he blasts current star he’s ‘never been sold on’
FORMER Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has slammed the club for “closing the door” on Nottingham Forest matchwinner Anthony Elanga.
And Meulensteen claims Elanga is much more of a United winger than Alejandro Garnacho, who struggled again in Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat at the City Ground.
Meulensteen worked with junior United teams before becoming a first-team coach under Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Dutchman told Poker Firma: “I’ve never been sold on Alejandro Garnacho to be fairly honest.
“I think there’s a personality and character issue at times.
“Anthony Elanga on the other hand, his performance the other night was exactly what you want to expect from a Manchester United winger – strong, direct, powerful, full of confidence and taking players on.
“I always thought Elanga showed those glimpses when he was playing for Man United, but the club closed the door on him and his career has restarted at a different club.
“You really have to question the decision-making process to let players like him go, because there’s been a few who have slipped through the fingers.”
Elanga showed United what they were missing with the sensational fifth-minute goal that earned Forest a precious victory.
The Sweden international broke from a United corner and ran more than 80 yards, with power and pace, before confidently stroking a calm finish past Andre Onana.
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In that magical ten seconds, Elanga highlighted his own qualities and showed up the deficiencies of goal-shy United.
Ruben Amorim’s side created a number of openings but did not have enough quality in the final third to make them count as Forest defended the lead with their lives.
Amorim rightly points out that Elanga, and other forward players who have left the club and thrived elsewhere, were all given chances at Old Trafford.
Elanga joined United at the age of 12 and contributed just four goals and four assists in 55 appearances for the first team, 25 of them starts.
Amorim said: “We are not talking about players who did not play for Manchester United.
“Here the pressure is too big, sometimes. Sometimes you don’t have time and you should have time for these kids to develop.
“But for that you need a strong base to support all these kids. If you don’t have that strong base, we are not going to help our kids.”
Elanga, who is still only 22, joined Forest for £15m in the summer of 2023 after being frozen out by former United manager Erik ten Hag.
He managed six goals and nine assists in 36 Premier League games last season and is on course to beat that, with six goals and eight assists in 30 appearances in this campaign.
I’ve never been sold on Alejandro Garnacho.
Former United coach Rene Meulensteen
Garnacho’s contribution at United pales in comparison.
The Argentinian has contributed only four Prem goals this season – and just one of them since Amorim took charge in November.
The winger, 20, appears unsuited to his manager’s 3-4-2-1 system and seemed to be trying too hard to make an impact against Forest as the team yet again struggled for cutting edge.
Amorim said: “He’s trying. You have one day where you are doing the right things, but in the final third we were not that good. That can happen.
“The most important thing for me is when he needs to run back, he is running back.
“Sometimes he is trying too much. He wants to help the team by doing his best. Sometimes he doesn’t make the best choice but you can point to any player today.”
But Elanga’s devastating, match-winning contribution only underlined what Garnacho and United lack.
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Man Utd player ratings vs Nottingham Forest
MANCHESTER UNITED’S woes continue after another disappointing loss to Nottingham Forest.
Forest picked up a 1-0 victory at the City Ground thanks to ex-United ace Anthony Elanga’s winner after just five minutes.
United remain 13th in the Premier League table and look set for their worst ever Premier League finish.
That is at least what their performance at Forest showed, as Ruben Amorim’s men don’t show signs of really understanding the Portuguese tactician’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.
But who stood out for a poor United’s side? And who was the biggest disappointment?
Check out Kostas Lianos’ players ratings below and find out…
Andre Onana – 5
Can’t blame him for Nottingham Forest’s winner as Anthony Elanga’s shot was too good. Made a stunning save to deny Ryan Yates’ header without knowing the Forest ace was offside.
Leny Yoro – 5
Should have been more aware before Elanga’s goal that came straight after a Man Utd corner-kick in which he had moved forward.
One could argue Yoro made up for it when he stopped a fine run by Elanga in the second half with an amazing and well-timed challenge to save United from a second.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
The centre-back was also nowhere to be seen before Elanga’s goal. No other major errors but should have done better on the rebound after Diogo Dalot’s header hit the crossbar.
Noussair Mazraoui – 4
Completely hopeless during Elanga’s run that led to the goal and struggled in his defensive duties, especially in the first half. Not sure if the full-back fits in a defensive trio as part of Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation…
Diogo Dalot – 6
A strong performance down the right wing with some fine runs and good crosses. Registered United’s best chance in the first half when his header rattled Forest’s crossbar.
Casemiro – 4
At fault for Elanga’s goal as there was absolutely no midfield presence during Forest’s counter.
Loads of inaccurate passes and got booked for a reckless challenge on Yates before complaining in a very unjust way. Registered three shots but didn’t cause concern for Matz Sels.
Manuel Ugarte – 4
Cut a rather anonymous figure, among the guilty parties for Elanga’s goal as Man Utd’s midfield was caught sleeping. Rightly substituted at half-time.
Patrick Dorgu – 5
A fine display during the first half as he cut a strong presence down the left flank, even though he was completely outrun by Elanga before the goal.
But the versatile full-back was the complete opposite in the second half with a series of errors against a stunning Neco Williams.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Registered the game’s first shot on target with a powerful effort that required a lunge from Sels, and that was basically United’s best shot throughout the entire match.
Fernandes produced some fine long balls and upgraded Man Utd’s midfield after Ugarte and Casemiro’s exits.
Alejandro Garnacho – 2
Very disappointing performance from the winger. Completely hopeless before Elanga’s goal with a desperate tackle and was lucky to avoid a booking for a ridiculous challenge on Yates while the Argentina international was on the attack.
A game riddled with heavy touches, failed dribbles, wrong passes, blocked shots and a silly yellow card as he kicked the ball away in frustration. Had a good shot on 69 minutes as a saving grace.
Joshua Zirkzee – 3
Was supposed to be a striker but was often seen playing too deep and didn’t register a chance in front of Forest’s goal. Didn’t inspire any danger even after Rasmus Hojlund came on to help him up front.
SUBS
Rasmus Hojlund – 5
Was much better than a woeful Zirkzee up front for Man Utd. But didn’t cause any significant danger and never looked like a goalscoring threat. Harry Maguire looked far more lethal as a false nine after he entered the pitch with a lot more presence inside the box.
Christian Eriksen – 4
Didn’t really elevate United’s midfield after Ugarte and Casemiro’s exit. The sort of performance that makes one wonder about his Old Trafford future…
Harry Maguire – 5
Only played nine minutes as a false nine and was by far Man Utd’s best forward. Brought on as a desperation move that almost paid off with the best chance of the match as his last-gasp effort was cleared by Murillo just off the line.
Mason Mount – N/A