Anthony Elanga was delighted after his all-action contribution to Manchester United's 1-1 Champions League draw with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, in which he got the Red Devils' equaliser in the second half.
And United boss Ralf Rangnick, while no doubt pleased with his forward's determination to repay his faith, will have been even more delighted to see him tuck his finish into the corner of Jan Oblak's net in the 80th minute.
"Every time I have the opportunity to play for this club, I just want to pay back the manager and give 150 percent out there on the pitch," said Elanga afterwards.
Elanga's discovery
Rangnick, remarkably, recounted he used YouTube to research the player before bringing him into the first-team picture.
"He's been with us since my first training session," Rangnick said.
"I had heard his name before and I was in my hotel room watching his clips on YouTube.
"I thought he was really good."
Things could've been very different as Elanga was close to leaving Old Trafford in the January transfer window before Rangnick put a stop to it.
"It was nearly done for him to go out on loan, but I said to him 'you won't be going out on loan, you're staying here.'"
And not only has he stayed but he has also extended his contract to 2026.
Rangnick's decision has paid off with the Swede responding on the pitch. He scored against Leeds last week in the Premier League before his stunning strike against Atleti at the very top level of European football.
His explosion has been remarkable, given he started the year playing in the UEFA Youth League.
"I dreamed of these moments," Elanga said to BT Sport.
"To score a goal against a team like Atletico Madrid in the Champions League is a dream come true.
"At the same time it's only the first leg, and I want to be ready for the second leg at Old Trafford in a few weeks."
Ex-Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deserves some credit for Elanga's breakout, given it was he who blooded him last season and brought him into the first-team environment.
Elanga, son of ex-Cameroon international Joseph who played at World Cup '98, has also seen the negative side of football in his short career, receiving racist abuse online after his missed penalty that saw United crash out of the FA Cup earlier this month.
viecinopr
0
Elanga has proved beyond all reasonable doubt that some of the academy players are a lot better than some of the so-called established stars. Players like Garner, Hannibal, Amad should be given game time to prove themselves and who knows? They might turn out to be the key that unlocks the door to resounding success
And I would add, at a much cheaper cost to the club. With the talented youngsters they have, they should be showing more trust in them, especially with what’s been going at United.
Asiwaju241
0
Manchester United should kick maguire out,that dude have coursed many points for Manchester United
My support 💯
KingRogers7
0
Elanga is the reason I'm ok with the dismissal of Ole. He kept on using Martial while this young & dedicated player was kept out of the team.
DavidFoley
3
Elanga has proved beyond all reasonable doubt that some of the academy players are a lot better than some of the so-called established stars. Players like Garner, Hannibal, Amad should be given game time to prove themselves and who knows? They might turn out to be the key that unlocks the door to resounding success
Ovieme
1
You guys would not allow this grow gradually until you hyped into oblivion
kbsarpong
0
is he not Manchester United Player?
Brainny1
2
REMINDS ME OF SUPER SUB TEVEZ....
Ebubechukwu1996
1
Manchester United should kick maguire out,that dude have coursed many points for Manchester United
hiokmopry
0
United were poor but atletico wasn't good enough either.. Yes they controlled the game but really didn't gave united hell to do especially in the 2nd half, they were good because united gave too much ball away in their final 3rd. The only time after the goal they gave united scared was when they hit the bar.
Dimaberuz
0
Manchester United goals by numbers 2,3,4,5,6
aliiyu
0
what would be his work if what he did was rescue? didn't he do what he is supposed to do?
nuhcekouyz
0
guy says that the realise that what was going to happen if he hadn't got that girl that girl that we scored last night so give me the reason why was he passing the ball between the forward and the left-hand side how for my what was he giving the ball back because you cannot listen to me or possible Harry is back again Ralph back all of you touch touch back now listen all of you listen for flips sake everyone get herself rap back I've only just drop back use the space get them in the bowl and I passed so you don't know and pugs a f****** God and me and then they got proposed to f****** winter f****** rice why because already gets it doesn't demand passing uses the ball to pass right if I said you wrap back Emily drop back David hangul jump jump jump ok and as they dropped the ball drop hear that everyone dropped the ball drop when I say pass pick up down right
MuyimbwaNelson
1
Meanwhile. Ukraine will defeat Russia
Fomacdlpry
0
v.good