The official Twitter account of Specsavers trolled Manchester United on Monday morning after the club erroneously tagged David de Gea in a congratulatory post over an appearance record.
United’s social media account wrote: “A special day for @D_DeGea”, alongside an image celebrating forward Antony Elanga’s 50th appearance for the club. The Sweden international appeared as a substitute in the club’s two-goal victory at Leeds on Sunday as De Gea played in his 400th match for United.
Elanga, who has played a peripheral role for Erik ten Hag’s side this season, appeared as a substitute in injury time replacing Marcus Rashford. It saw him hit the half-century milestone for the Red Devils, for whom he debuted in the 2020/21 campaign.
Rashford headed home expertly from Luke Shaw's cross to open the scoring in the 80th minute before Alejandro Garnacho added a second five minutes later with a fine run and finish from Wout Weghorst's assist. Elanga’s introduction came with the three points already secured.
United moved to celebrate their academy graduate’s first-team milestone but made an error by tagging goalkeeper De Gea rather than the forward. That led to Specsavers sarcastically replying: “A special offer for admin.”
Elanga has found first-team opportunities somewhat limited this campaign for United following a breakthrough campaign last time out. The 20-year-old made 27 appearances last season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick but has dropped down the pecking order this campaign.
The Sweden international has not completed a Premier League match so far this season, starting just five times in the league and coming on as a substitute on nine occasions, including Sunday. Indeed, he has started just seven matches in all competitions and is yet to find the net.
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The arrival of Antony from Ajax this summer and the emergence of Garnacho pushed Elanga down the selection order at Old Trafford. Rashford and Jadon Sancho are also more prominent in the selection process while Weghorst and Anthony Martial are higher in the central forward position.
Elanga had been linked with an exit from Old Trafford this summer due to his limited playing opportunities but no move materialised and he is likely to be utilised from the substitute’s bench frequently over the closing months of the campaign.
