The latest Manchester United news as the academy graduate opened the scoring in the Premier League clash at the City Ground
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20:35, 01 Apr 2025
Anthony Elanga celebrates after scoring for Nottingham Forest against Manchester United
Anthony Elanga scored early on for Nottingham Forest against Manchester United - but didn't celebrate much
(Image: Ritchie Sumpter/Nottingham Forest FC via Getty Images)
Manchester United academy product Anthony Elanga came back to haunt his former side in the opening minutes of the Premier League game against Nottingham Forest.
United went into the game looking to build on their recent positive recent results. But they face a Forest side who are in third place in the Premier League and turning heads with their results so far this season, with the game taking place at the City Ground.
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Despite United dominating possession as expected in the early part of the game, it was Forest who took the lead in just the fifth minute. Elanga picked the ball up from outside of his own penalty area and travelled all the way up the pitch before putting the ball past Andre Onana and into the back of the net.
The United academy product looked like he was going to celebrate before stopping himself and putting his hand up toward the travelling fans before being mobbed by teammates.
Elanga joined Forest from United in the summer of 2023. He spent eight years with the Reds, coming up through the youth team.
The 22-year-old made 55 first team appearances for United, scoring four goals and providing four assists before making the move to the City Ground.
Since signing for Forest, he has been a key part of Nuno Esprirto Santo’s team. His goal against United is his sixth in 30 Premier League appearances so far this season.
The goal was arguably one of his best, and earned praise from co-commentator Ally McCoist.
“That is just magnificent," he said on TNT Sports coverage of the match. ”It is absolutely magnificent. I am saying to myself 'he's got to give it to Gibbs-White, he's got to give it to Gibbs-White'.
"He doesn't - shows you what I know. What a finish, what a goal, what a start. "As you say Fletch, as counter-attacks go this won't be beaten. They can't get near him, look at the pace.
"I am thinking 'he must give it him here, he must give it him here'. He doesn't and it's just brilliant. "It really is, Gibbs-White does really well because he gives Mazraoui the problem.
"Mazraoui can't come to him, he holds his position really well and he allows Elanga... look at Mazraoui he can't come across and it's a beautiful finish. "What a goal, what a start."
McCoist added: "He would look great in any team on that form, that was just different class."