Anthony Elanga left Manchester United behind, but on Tuesday, he left them chasing shadows. The Nottingham Forest winger produced a breathtaking solo goal, covering 70 yards from the edge of his own box after latching onto Ryan Yates’ header.
Neither Alejandro Garnacho nor Patrick Dorgu could keep up with the Swedish international as he surged forward, eventually slotting the ball into the bottom corner from 18 yards.
Despite the magnitude of the moment, Elanga chose not to celebrate out of respect for the club he joined as a 12-year-old. His goal secured a 1-0 victory, strengthening Forest’s grip on third place in the Premier League and extending their lead over Newcastle to ten points.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo was in awe of the goal, admitting he had never seen anything like it. Meanwhile, captain Yates called his teammate a “midfielder’s dream.”
“I always look to exploit space and get to goal as quickly as possible,” Elanga told TNT Sports while holding his man-of-the-match award. “I believe I’m one of the fastest players in the league, and the finish is something I’ve been working on. I’m comfortable with either foot this season.”
Flourishing since leaving Old Trafford
Elanga’s £15 million move to Nottingham Forest in 2023 was meant to reignite his passion for the game, and it has certainly done that. At Manchester United, he made 55 appearances but managed just four goals. Erik ten Hag deemed him surplus to requirements after only five Premier League starts in the 2022-23 campaign.
Since arriving at Forest, the winger has racked up 27 goal contributions in the league. In comparison, United’s attacking options have struggled in the same period – Alejandro Garnacho has 16, Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo have 14 each, while Antony has just two.
However, current United boss Ruben Amorim played down the significance of Elanga’s departure. “A lot of players were here before and are doing well elsewhere,” he said. “At United, you don’t always have the time. The pressure is huge, and sometimes young players need more space to develop.”
Thriving in a new environment
Elanga has no doubts about his decision to move on. “I made the right choice, 100%,” he told The Athletic in December. “At United, I was young and coming into a struggling team. I never felt like I was improving – when I played, it felt like I was just filling a role.”
“At Forest, I play regularly and feel like I have a purpose. I’ve had the chance to learn and grow, and I have no regrets. I’m playing fantastic football in a team that’s in a great position.”
That position only improved after Tuesday’s win, which keeps Forest on track for an unlikely Champions League qualification. With an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City also on the horizon, their season is shaping up to be unforgettable.
Elanga’s contributions have been vital, with six goals and eight assists placing him among the top creators in the league. His pace is proving to be a crucial asset, with statistics before Tuesday’s game showing he had spent 1.17% of his time sprinting – more than any other player in the Premier League. After his latest electrifying run, that number is bound to increase.
As Nuno summed up: “He did it on his own. That was the perfect counterattack. He is a special player.”
