Manchester United starlet Anthony Elanga admits he can “understand” Cristiano Ronaldo ’s claim that young players at Old Trafford “don’t care”.
The Portuguese forward dropped a number of bombshells during his shocking interview with Piers Morgan. United boss Erik ten Hag, Wayne Rooney and the Glazers were all on the receiving end of Ronaldo’s vitriol.
The crop of young players at the club were also criticised by the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, as he claimed they lacked the desire to succeed. Speaking during his interview with Morgan, Ronaldo said: “The hunger. They [young players] have things more easily. Everything is easy.
“They don’t suffer, they don’t care. I don’t mean just Man United, but all teams. They are not the same as my generation.
“But we cannot blame them. It is part of the life of the new generation, the new technologies which distract them from other things. They are not the same. They listen, but they hear one side [and it goes out the other ear]. It doesn’t surprise me, but it is a shame.
“If they have the best examples in front of them, if they don’t at least copy what you did, it’s kind of weird.”
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One of United's most recent academy graduates, Elanga, has issued his response to Ronaldo’s comments and appears to have somewhat agreed. As quoted by Aftonbladet, the Swede said: “Cristiano talks about young players in general.
“We are a new generation. I am always 100 per cent focused on what I am doing, but I can understand what he is saying.
“There are a lot of phones and a lot of technology. It’s quite easy for young players to get distracted and lose focus. I always focus 100 per cent on my job and what I do. Young players at United are listening, but I can understand what he is saying.”
In the meantime, the young Swede has claimed that his opinion of the 37-year-old teammate has not changed having played alongside him over the past 18 months following Ronaldo’s return from Juventus.
Elanga added: “He [Ronaldo] means a lot to me. He has helped me a lot not only on the pitch but off it as well. He is an inspiration, not only to me but to all the young players at United. Sometimes it’s just me and him at the gym.
“No, not so much [whether Elanga's opinion has changed]. Because when I’m with him, he hasn’t changed. He is still Cristiano Ronaldo to me. He has helped me a lot.”
