Anthony Elanga had left Manchester United up to now. On Tuesday, they trailed in his wake.
Alejandro Garnacho and Patrick Dorgu couldn’t sustain with the 22-year-old as he burst from the sting of his personal space on to Ryan Yates’ defensive header, collected the ball and ran 70 yards.
The Sweden winger nonetheless had the composure to seek out the underside nook from 18 yards.
A particular second – however he refused to have a good time in opposition to the membership he joined as a 12-year-old.
A 1-0 win maintained Forest’s relentless quest to succeed in the Champions League and left them third within the Premier League, with a 10-point lead over Newcastle in sixth.
Boss Nuno Espirito Santo admitted he had by no means seen a aim prefer it, whereas Forest captain Yates labelled his team-mate a “midfielder’s dream”.
“It’s about attacking the area and attending to the alternative aim as fast as I can. I noticed the area and I imagine I am one of many quickest gamers within the league,” Elanga advised TNT Sports activities whereas holding his man-of-the-match award.
“The end is one thing I’ve been attempting to work on. Left foot or proper foot, I’m fairly snug with each ft this season.
“All you need to do is carry on bettering. Coming right here is about enjoying and growing. I respect Manchester United a lot as I discovered so much there.
“I’m having fun with my soccer and I need to carry on going.”
His £15m transfer to Nottingham Forest in 2023 was meant to convey that enjoyment again into his sport.
He made 55 appearances, scoring 4 targets, for United however was jettisoned by Erik ten Hag, who felt the winger wasn’t going to make the grade. That got here after simply 5 Premier League begins in 2022-23.
Apparently, although, present United boss Ruben Amorim performed down the truth that Elanga was allowed to depart.
He stated: “We’re speaking about quite a lot of gamers who had been at Manchester United who’re doing proper, however that they had the prospect right here. At United, you do not have the time. I cannot have the time. We now have to get it proper quick.
“They had been right here and right here the stress is just too massive typically. Generally you do not have time and it’s best to have time for these children to develop.
“For that you just want a powerful base. If you do not have it, we aren’t going to assist our youngsters. They’d their probabilities and typically the stress enjoying for Manchester United is actually massive.”
There are clearly no regrets from Elanga, although, whose six-goal return is a season’s finest.
“I made the correct resolution, 100%,” Elanga advised the Athletic in December. “I’ve not likely spoken about this, however on the time at United, I used to be very younger and I used to be coming right into a staff that was struggling.
“Sure, there was the thought that ‘I’m enjoying for Manchester United’. However I additionally by no means felt as if I used to be bettering. I used to be enjoying for the sake of enjoying after I did get the odd alternative off the bench.
“Coming to Forest was so massive for me, as a result of immediately I used to be commonly enjoying 90 minutes, whereas having the chance to enhance. After I performed, I felt like I had goal; like I used to be enjoying and bettering within the course of. That was the largest change for me.
“I really feel as if I do know the league inside-out now, as a result of I’ve had the prospect to be taught. I’ve no regrets, as a result of I’m having fun with enjoying improbable soccer with this staff. We’re in a very good place for the time being.”
That place has solely obtained higher after a deserved win over United pushed them nearer to a fairytale finale this season, with an FA Cup semi closing in opposition to Manchester Metropolis a part of it.
With eight video games remaining, they’re closing in on the Champions League.
Elanga has performed his half along with his targets and eight assists, for which he’s joint-seventh within the Premier League standings. And he is fast: Earlier than Tuesday’s sport, the stats confirmed he had spent 1.17% of his time on the pitch this season sprinting – a Premier League excessive.
After Tuesday’s aim, that determine will undoubtedly have improved.
As Nuno stated of his matchwinner: “He did it by himself. There isn’t any higher counter-attack. He’s a particular participant.”
