Manchester United resumed their Premier League campaign with a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Anthony Elanga stung his former side by scoring against Manchester United just five minutes into the Premier League clash.
Elanga claims he’s the fastest in the Premier League and he certainly looked impossible to catch when he ran 85 metres up the pitch to score the only goal of the game.
Noussair Mazraoui struggled against Elanga and that one moment early on ended up deciding the game despite United’s best efforts to draw level.
United’s defence were simply caught napping as Forest counter-attacked a corner. Former Nottingham Forest boss Martin O’Neill wasn’t exactly impressed by what he saw.
Photo by Cameron Smith - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by Cameron Smith – Danehouse/Getty Images
Martin O’Neill slams ‘crazy’ Man United defending
United started quickly and were pushing for an opener when they earned an early corner. However, Ruben Amorim’s side committed far too many players forward and were blown away by Elanga’s pace.
At half-time, O’Neill – who managed Forest in 2019 – criticised United’s defending against Elanga.
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Speaking on TNT Sports, O’Neill said: “From a Manchester United viewpoint it’s absolutely brutal. Three or four minutes into the game, you have a corner kick and eight seconds later it’s in your net.
“It’s just crazy defending, I must admit. Rio [Ferdinand] is absolutely right, there were a number of times they could have stopped it.
“But it is a magnificent goal from a very talented player.”
Anthony Elanga tore Man United apart
Forest are enjoying a superb campaign and Elanga has been central to their success.
United will regret selling Elanga for just £15m back in 2023 after seeing how he is playing at City Ground this season.
Anthony Elanga has 28 goal contributions in the Premier League since leaving Man United for £15m last season.
No Man United winger has managed more in that time. pic.twitter.com/suGliGf1Xe
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 1, 2025
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On Tuesday evening, Elanga was the star of the show against his former side, and his match stats prove just how impressive he really was.
Minutes played 86
Goals 1
Shots taken 1
Touches 48
Passes completed 79% (19/24)
Dribbles completed 6
Duels won 60% (9/15)
Fouls won 2
Anthony Elanga match stats for Nottingham Forest 1-0 Man United.
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Elanga is still close with United and continues to watch his former side – after scoring against them he refused to celebrate out of respect.
But Amorim must be thinking that Elanga would be perfect for United if he had stayed at the club.