Anthony Elanga revisionism shows Manchester United were right and wrong

It was inevitable, wasn’t it? The forward Manchester United sold for £15 million would play a key part in their final damning defeat of the calendar year and outshine their current crop of forwards in the process.

Anthony Elanga has every right to celebrate such a brilliant win for Nottingham Forest on Saturday night, just as United still had every right to sell him in the summer transfer window.

The stats are undeniable, even if they don’t tell the full story. With four goals and six assists under his belt so far, Elanga has performed better than any current United forward this season.

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It’s an impressive individual haul, though it misses the point. Elanga has flourished at a club with far less pressure and scrutiny than he faced at United and his output is amplified by the failure of those at Old Trafford.

If even one of the United forward line had a respectable tally this season, then the debate would be dead in the water. Elanga has improved when given the opportunity of regular game time, which has helped improve momentum and consistency but there is a reason he wasn’t afforded it at United.

"Last season wasn’t easy for me because I’d play 5–10 minutes, then I wouldn’t play 10 for games, then it would be in and out. I just stayed strong," he told Peacock TV after the win. "I've had my family support me when it has been difficult and I wasn't in the squad.

"This game was kind of personal for me because I wanted to prove that I am capable of playing at higher levels."

The Swede failed to net a single goal in his final season at the club, with his strike against Atletico Madrid