Rio Ferdinand has pinpointed the difference Anthony Elanga has brought to Manchester United with his style of play.
The academy graduate has been one of United’s standout players in recent games, having scored in back-to-back games off the bench against Leeds and Atletico Madrid. He then supplied the biggest threat during Saturday’s disappointing goalless draw against Watford.
Elanga has now firmly put himself in the frame for a regular starting berth in Ralf Rangnick’s side for the rest of the season. With Marcus Rashford struggling for form, the youngster looks to have moved ahead in the pecking order to start on United's right-wing.
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And former United defender Ferdinand was impressed with his latest showing against Watford, and explained in his latest Vibe With Five podcast just what Elanga has brought to the side.
“I thought he was our best attacking player against Watford. All the chances that you see created, he was probably involved in 90 per cent of them,” Ferdinand said. “Great goal in midweek against Atletico. Big, big game, Champions League game, it’s not easy but he comes on and impacts the game.
“What I like about him, and what I see constantly and more and more with him, is he plays and runs. There’s an intensity to his game that I really like, you always find it with young players who just get into the team, they just don’t stop running.
“He plays and runs, he’s on the move, he causes disruption to the opposition defenders. At the weekend, a bit more composure in his finishing, but you could say that about Bruno and Cristiano as well, and we would have had a few more goals as well. I think you have to credit him massively.”
Elanga will now be eyeing up another start this weekend as United travel to the Etihad for the Manchester derby. For Ferdinand, it’s a no-brainer over whether he’s selected or not.
“If you’re doing it on form and impact, he’s one of the first names on the sheet in an attacking sense right now.”
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