Spanish Second Division teams turned down chance to sign Anthony Elanga from Manchester United | OneFootball

Anthony Elanga came off the bench to score an equaliser for Manchester United against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old Swede came on in the 75th minute and just five minutes later beat Jan Oblak with a low strike after a nice move by the Premier League side.

Three days earlier he had also scored against Leeds United in the Premier League. Elanga is now considered one of the most interesting prospects in England.

Just a few months ago, however, the story was not so rosy. Knowing that he was not going to get many chances to play under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, his agents began to look for teams in Spain’s Second Division in order for him to gain experience, according to AS.

After sounding out most of the clubs in Segunda, none of them were interested in the player, so he decided to start the season at United and wait for the winter transfer window and possible loan options.

Elanga was not called up for any of the first 14 Premier League games. The sacking of Solskjaer and the arrival of Ralf Rangnick at Old Trafford brought a radical change. The German manager took charge for the first time on 5 December against Crystal Palace and in that game, he made his intentions clear to Elanga.

He called him into his squad and brought him on in the 76th minute. Rangnick curbed his desire to send him out on loan in the winter, and in his place went Anthony Martial to Sevilla and Amad Diallo to Rangers. Elanga has responded to the manager’s trust with a strong performance (eight goals and three assists), earning him a contract renewal until 2026 and making him one of United’s most beloved players.