When Alejandro Garnacho went off injured in the goalless draw against Southampton, it soon became clear the youngster would miss the games against Real Betis and Fulham. Having just been called up to the Argentina squad for the international break, it also came as a blow to the player that he was forced to withdraw.
The 18-year-old was spotted leaving Old Trafford on crutches after being on the wrong end of a challenge by Southampton right-back Kyle Walker-Peters. He came on in the 73rd minute, but had to be taken off in added time. Although the Argentine has only made 10 starts in all competitions this term, he has still demonstrated his worth to United.
Unlike Garnacho, Anthony Elanga has endured a difficult campaign. The Swedish attacker has made 24 appearances in all competitions under Erik ten Hag, but only seven of those have come as a starter. While Elanga, 20, is a similar age to Garnacho, he is considered a more senior player, but he has fallen behind his teammate in the pecking order this season.
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Elanga has registered just two assists in all competitions this season, while Garnacho, on the other hand, has notched five goals and six assists. Although the pair are unlikely to consistently start ahead of Marcus Rashford, Antony or Jadon Sancho at the moment, they - as well as Facundo Pellistri - are battling to be the first-choice option off the bench.
With Rashford having been in scintillating form, he is always going to operate off the left flank. On the other wing, the respective price tags of Antony and Sancho means one of them will always typically start. Garnacho has made more appearances than both Elanga and Pellistri, but given the South American star is sidelined, others will have the chance to take on his role.
Despite having not featured regularly for United, Elanga was still called-up to represent Sweden in their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Belgium and Azerbaijan. The 20-year-old did not feature in the first game against the Belgians, but he scored in the second match after coming off the bench in the latter stages of the tie.
Although he was only on the pitch for three minutes, Elanga showed composure in front of goal to register his second goal for his country in his 10th appearance. It was, in many ways, indicative of his season in general, but he will be desperate for an opportunity with United in the coming weeks ahead of an important summer.
Despite not featuring until December 2021, Elanga went on to make 27 senior appearances in all competitions last term - registering three goals. His most memorable moment came against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, with the young forward scoring a brilliant equaliser in the last-16 first leg.
It is clear that the attacker needs regular action in order to rediscover the form he showed on occasions last term, but with minutes likely to be scarce for him in the final few months of the season, it is vital he takes his chance if - or when - Ten Hag does need him.
Elanga was linked with a loan move away from Old Trafford in January, but he remained at the club. It is thought that a number of clubs were interested in the Sweden ace, but a temporary switch never materialised. Given he is under contract until 2026, United are under no pressure to make a decision on his future in the summer, but considering the player's lack of action in recent months, he could choose to try and make the call himself.
There would certainly be a number of clubs interested in his services if he was available for a transfer, so it could come down to whether or not Elanga truly views himself as a United first-team player.
With both Pellistri and Garnacho currently ahead of him in the pecking order, Elanga is at somewhat of a crossroads in his Reds career, but after getting on the scoresheet for Sweden, he will be desperate to contribute for United. If Garnacho is out for longer than expected, the Swedish ace could get the opportunity he needs to impress Ten Hag.
Should the Swede manage to do that, any summer transfer decision - should there be one - becomes much simpler.
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