Erik ten Hag has reassured Anthony Elanga about his lack of game time this season and insists the youngster will have a bright future at Manchester United.
Elanga made his fifth start of the season in United's win over West Ham at the weekend having been selected on the right wing in the place of the injured Antony.
The 20-year-old impressed with his movement in the final third though his end product was a little rusty, something Ten Hag puts down to his limited game time this season.
Elanga was the breakthrough youngster of last season but has only played 367 minutes of football this season across eight appearances under the new manager.
Speaking after the win, Ten Hag praised Elanga for his performance and explained why he thinks the youngster will go on to have a very bright future in the game.
"He's doing well and he's a young guy," Ten Hag told Viaplay Sweden . "Last year, he came in for a lot of games and this year, obviously, I would say it's normal to drop down in minutes.
"But you can see today he's quite mature and I was happy with his performance. His runs behind were good, he was composed on the ball, his pressing was good. His performance today was good. You can see the power lacked a little bit, like when you don't have a run of games.
"I'm happy to work with him. He has big potential. I think he can have a really good position in world football."
When further pressed on whether or not the Swedish youngster could have a bright future in the game, he replied: "I am definitely sure because he is a great kid to work with. Always positive and I think his brightness, his positive attitude and by working hard, he has the capabilities so now we have to improve that."
ZiNoK
4
Elanga is more impactful as a sub. He needs more experience to be a starter.
baabcdnors
0
people saying he is not good enough are right but he is important..you can't have players like Gakpo for rotation it will only mount pressure on the gaffer and result in bad decisions its better to have him and use him when needed like for tactical use like man marking against bigger oppositions it's obvious you can't tell rashford to man mark
pimdilmory
1
Elanga lacks positioning and confidence he just keeps running round the pitch… let’s loan him just like amad and use sancho or the other guy gnarcho. Just my opinion tho
He's a very good player but the issue here is, he's not a favorite player of ten hag. Every manager have his favorite players and he ain't having the playing time he deserves. Dude was so in a form before but lack of playing time is putting him under pressure and out of form
Admajesty007
3
Elanga lacks positioning and confidence he just keeps running round the pitch… let’s loan him just like amad and use sancho or the other guy gnarcho. Just my opinion tho
Zocairsz
0
if he has a Brite future,y dd you bring Antony bcoz both players play the same position, same applies to Zidane, he praised him in the pre season but continued to look for de jong, and failed, end up signing old Casemeiro
U need a strong bench too bro not only onfield players look at city halaand is not pkaying but they still hv alvarez there same goes to other numbers too,, city is reach in terms of all players plus the bench too.. u ask why he bought antony thats bcoz he needs elanga as his back up player waiting on the bench n that also acts as a motovator to antony like how it has helped luke shaw regain his confidence by buying malacia let him do his job he knows whay he is doing
Kembcemt
0
if he has a Brite future,y dd you bring Antony bcoz both players play the same position, same applies to Zidane, he praised him in the pre season but continued to look for de jong, and failed, end up signing old Casemeiro
he has to sign players... ETH has to tough project and you don't expect to trust the academy players just like that
Zubdlmorsu
0
if he has a Brite future,y dd you bring Antony bcoz both players play the same position, same applies to Zidane, he praised him in the pre season but continued to look for de jong, and failed, end up signing old Casemeiro