Manchester United target Viktor Gyokeres was sorely missed as Sweden suffered an embarrassing 1-0 defeat to Luxembourg.
Despite being ranked 92nd in Fifa’s standings, Luxembourg caused an upset and stunned Sweden on Saturday evening.
Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof was praised by Sweden’s coach this week, but the 30-year-old played no part in Sweden’s defeat after staying on the bench.
Lindelof is one of 12 international United stars out on duty this month and he will hope to return to the lineup for their next friendly match against Northern Ireland on Tuesday.
Despite Lindelof being benched, Sweden did field a strong lineup with Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak leading the line alongside former United star Anthony Elanga.
However, it seems the 22-year-old had an evening to forget.
Photo credit should read Michael Barrett Boesen / GocherImagery/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Photo credit should read Michael Barrett Boesen / GocherImagery/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Elanga has impressed this season, especially at Nottingham Forest who are chasing a top-five finish in the Premier League.
United have been told they shouldn’t have sold Elanga for £15m by former coach Dean Whitehouse, and it is a deal that club will likely look back on with regret.
More United News
But Elanga certainly wasn’t at his best on Saturday against Luxembourg, and Swedish media certainly weren’t impressed by his display.
Swedish outlet Fotboll Skanalen gave Elanga a 1/5 rating after the full-time whistle – one of only two players to be rated so poorly.
They added: “[Elanga] played as one of two forwards and didn’t get it right. Ran but it didn’t lead to much. Ended up facing goal too rarely and wasn’t sharp enough with the ball.”
Minutes played 61
Touches 50
Passes completed 75% (24/32)
Shots attempted 0
Dribbles completed 20% (1/5)
Duels won 17% (1/6)
Possessions lost 22
Crosses completed 20% (1/5)
Anthony Elanga match stats for Sweden vs Luxembourg.
Sweden coach Jon Dahl Tomasson must have agreed as Elanga was hooked just after the hour mark and replaced by Gustaf Nilsson.
Man United target Viktor Gyokeres sorely missed by Sweden
Since Ruben Amorim’s arrival in England, United have been linked with Viktor Gyokeres with a potential move in the upcoming summer window.
Gyokeres has a release clause of £83m, but it is understood he has an agreement with Sporting Lisbon that he can leave for around £63m this summer.
Gyokeres wants to leave Sporting in the summer, and he has been in great form ahead of a potential exit. He has scored a staggering 40 goals in 41 games across all competitions and that doesn’t include the nine goals in six games he scored in Sweden’s Nations League campaign in 2024.
But he won’t add to that tally this week. Viktor Gyokeres pulled out of the Sweden squad for March after suffering a slight injury concern.
READ MORE: Viktor Gyokeres appears to have made Manchester United transfer decision as Portuguese media share wish list
Sporting have been concerned by Gyokeres’ fitness after a thigh problem earlier in the season.
Gyokeres’ absence was felt on Saturday with Elanga really struggling to fill the void he left up front.