One of Manchester United’s biggest transfer errors was once again made crystal clear on Tuesday night.
Ruben Amorim will have few complaints about his side’s performance on Tuesday as the Premier League resumes for the run in.
Manchester United played really well against 3rd placed Nottingham Forest, continuing the upward trend of performances; however, ultimately, the attack cost Amorim failing to score.
United lost 1-0 to Forest on the night, but the performance was a sign that things are getting better under the 40-year-old Portuguese head coach, with next season when he will truly be judged.
Despite dominating in terms of shots and possession, Forest’s league leading defence proved too much for the Red Devils and it was a 5th minute Anthony Elanga goal which claimed all three points.
In the defeat, Ineos will be reminded of a transfer blunder before their time.
Photo by Cameron Smith - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by Cameron Smith – Danehouse/Getty Images
Anthony Elanga sale comes back to bite Manchester United
Elanga scoring such a brilliant goal against United has reminded fans of the massive mistake Erik ten Hag made in opting to sacrifice the academy graduate in favour of Antony.
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United signed Antony for £86m in 2022, which stagnated Elanga’s minutes and eventually ended his career at United as the club sold him for just £15m.
This had potential to be a deal the club would regret, and that is exactly how it has turned out with Elanga proving himself at Forest to be a very impressive player.
In fact, since leaving Old Trafford, Elanga has 28 goal contributions in the Premier League which is more than any other winger for United.
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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So allowing Ten Hag to make this decision and push out an academy graduate has now came back to haunt United and it will continue to do so as Elanga is now a £50m player.
Elanga would have been perfect for Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim
The decision not to really give Elanga a chance by Ten Hag is a crazy decision, especially when considering he would have been perfect for the transition football that the Dutchman wanted to play.
Elanga played just 705 minutes under Ten Hag, with zero Premier League appearances from Christmas time of that season right through until May, so it is no surprise that he left.
However, it still is a bad decision that proved costly as Ten Hag used Facundo Pellistri and Alejandro Garnacho ahead of him, with neither really capable of imposing themselves like Elanga does.
After the defeat, Amorim was asked about Elanga in which he denied any frustrations over the club selling him.
“No, they have to perform in Manchester United. We can’t look at the other players that go away. They had their chance at Manchester United. You are asking a lot about other players, we have to look at the players in Manchester United. I’m focused on improving my team.”
Despite what Amorim says, Elanga would be perfect for a wing-back role for United right now.