Manchester United youngster Anthony Elanga has been handed a golden chance to impress manager Erik ten Hag following the injury blow for Alejandro Garnacho.
Garnacho sustained an ankle injury on Sunday following a hard challenge from Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters. It has been confirmed that he will be sidelined for ‘several weeks‘.
This is obviously a huge blow for the Red Devils. The Argentine has produced several match-winning moments off the bench and his void won’t be easy to fill.
However, United have plenty of talented youngsters in the squad and in our opinion, Elanga has the opportunity to step up in the injury absence of Garnacho.
The €25 million-rated star had an impressive breakout season under interim boss Ralf Rangnick, but he has fallen down the pecking order this term under Ten Hag.
The emergence of Garnacho has limited him to just 650 minutes thus far but Elanga should get more game time off the bench with the Argentine’s untimely setback.
As things stand, the 20-year-old does not appear a favourite under Ten Hag and there was talk of him leaving on loan to Borussia Dortmund back in January.
There are still suggestions that he could be loaned out next season and Elanga needs to capitalise on his minutes hereon to win back the manager’s confidence.
Facundo Pellistri is another player that is sailing in the same boat, but he is a specialist right-winger and may not compete with Elanga on the left side of the attack.
Pellistri is currently a back-up option to Antony and will be hoping to make his first start for the club when United face Real Betis on the road on Thursday evening.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
