Rio Ferdinand hails Anthony Elanga and likens youngster's 'honesty' to ex-Man Utd duo

Rio Ferdinand praised Anthony Elanga’s fearlessness and ‘honesty’ following Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid, saying the youngster is clearly ‘desperate’ to be a first-team regular at the club.

Joao Felix broke the deadlock with a stunning header in only the 7th minute of Wednesday’s heavyweight Champions League last-16 first leg clash and Atleti looked set to hold on to their narrow advantage at the Wanda Metropolitano.

But second-half substitute Elanga had other ideas after being put through by Bruno Fernandes in the 80th minute, keeping his composure to slide the ball past Jan Oblak with his very first touch of the game.

Elanga’s late equaliser – the 19-year-old’s third goal in eight games – could be crucial in the context of the tie ahead of next month’s second leg at Old Trafford.

Speaking shortly after the final whistle, Elanga said it was a ‘dream come true’ to become United’s youngest ever goalscorer in the Champions League knockout phase and club legend Ferdinand waxed lyrical about the teenager in the BT Sport studio.

‘He plays with no fear,’ the former United and England defender said.

‘He goes out there and all he wants to do is impress and he’s desperate to go out there and put his name in the lights.

‘He’s desperate to come off the pitch and get a pat on the back and will do anything to do that.

‘There’s an honesty to his game, that raw honesty that you love when you see a young player coming into the team.’

Ferdinand said Elanga’s attitude reminded him of the willingness and desire Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley showed when they broke into United’s first-team during his playing days.

Asked what he meant by ‘honesty’, Ferdinand replied: ‘That willingness to run for balls that others