Ralf Rangnick favourite might need January loan to ignite Manchester United career

The turnover of forwards in the Manchester United team over the past few years has been something to behold.

From the days of Romelu Lukaku leading the line, as recently as spring 2019 (he's had three big transfers since), to the 2020 era of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood, United have almost come full circle as 2023 approaches. Erik ten Hag is favouring Rashford and Martial, like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did, with neither of 2021's marquee additions — Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho — in the first choice attacking trio as things stand.

A lot can change and a lot of money can be spent quickly in the attacking department, with 2022 addition Antony the latest to command a record fee for a United forward signing. The Brazilian has hit the ground running to earn his place, but don't be surprised if the wheels keep turning.

READ MORE: Marcus Rashford is proving Antony right about Ten Hag at Man United

It's only a few months since Anthony Elanga was a mainstay of the United frontline towards the end of last season, and one of the more reliable performers at that. The Swedish international scored in United's best two results under ex interim boss Ralf Rangnick, successive games against Leeds (a 4-2 away win) and Atletico Madrid (a creditable 1-1 away draw).

Whether Rangnick's use of Elanga said more about the performance of other United forwards last season, rather than the 20-year-old's own ability, is worthy of debate. Martial had strayed so much off track last season that he was loaned out to Sevilla, while Rashford misfired badly and was deservedly benched.

Rangnick wasn't getting a tune from his United squad, bar a couple of exceptions. Elanga was one of those.

"Apart from his name, of course, I