Anthony Elanga transfer decision shows how far Manchester United have come

Manchester United will be back among Europe's elite next season but the future of the man who scored their last Champions League goal looks bleak.

Anthony Elanga enjoyed something of a personal golden period under Ralf Rangnick, playing 27 times in the 2021-22 season for the Reds, including 16 starts under the interim boss. As the team and others struggled, he thrived. He became a bright spot in a dark period, netting three goals along the way.

One of those was an important equaliser in Spain as United drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League. A home defeat in the second leg meant it didn't have the impact it perhaps could have and a little over a year on, Elanga has gone from a starting spot to struggling to even get in the squad.

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He has started just once this calendar year, in the Carabao Cup against Charlton in January, and has not feature in 10 of the last 13 Premier League matchday squads. It's a drop down the pecking order that has prompted United to drop their asking price for the Sweden international to £10million, half the figure it was.

The 21-year-old had loan interest in January but Erik ten Hag made the call to retain him in the squad. But the attacker, who was initially earmarked for a loan exit this summer, is now available on a permanent deal.

The summer arrival of Antony, from Ten Hag's former club Ajax, and the emergence of Facundo Pellistri into the first team picture have pushed Elanga down the pecking order. He's had a season to impress in training but his sporadic appearances haven't delivered on the promise he showed last term. And with United having kicked on under Ten Hag, Elanga has been left