Interim manager Ralf Rangnick knew from the moment he first saw Anthony Elanga train that he would have the right mentality to play for Manchester United and has challenged the Sweden international to take the next step forward in his promising career.
It was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who gave the Academy graduate his senior debut, but Elanga has been afforded more game-time - and thrived - since Rangnick stepped into the breach. He will be gunning to make a similar impression when Erik ten Hag takes over, too, after seeing out the campaign with Ajax.
Despite ongoing struggles for the collective, Elanga has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Old Trafford with goals during important matches against Atalanta and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, plus the 4-2 demolition against Leeds at Elland Road. His form prompted a first call-up to the Sweden national squad and he was handed a debut and second outing in the March international break.
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During an interview with MUFC media, Rangnick said: "Well, since he is a clear head and since he is a top mentality player, I'm sure he can take and make the next steps, which are also important for him to take.
"It's not for him an issue of character or mentality. I'm pretty sure, whenever I saw him train or play, even in the first training session the night before the Crystal Palace game, I knew his name but had never seen him play before. So I asked my coaching staff at the time, Kieran [McKenna] and Darren Fletcher; 'Who is he? I haven't seen him play'."
"Since then, he has always been a player who has given his very best, where I could always be assured what kind of level, physical level and mentality level, he will invest."
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