Anthony Elanga has been one of the shining stars in an otherwise dull and disappointing Premier League season for Manchester United. But had it not been for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's intervention, his career may have followed an entirely different trajectory.
The Swedish youngster had been the subject of several loan offers from Premier League and Championship clubs after catching the eye of scouts playing for the Under-23s and his brief cameos with Man United from the bench. Eventually, he was given his chance to impress in pre-season amid a number of injuries and absentees in the first-team squad.
Elanga was handed a start in the pre-season friendly against Queens Park Rangers and took the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium by storm. He scored once and went close on two occasions as United went down 4-2 to the Rs, proving he was every bit as exciting as reports had suggested. United staff member Martyn Hett apparently said to now football director Darren Fletcher: "Elanga will play for us this season" - and he did.
