"The difference isn't that big" - 21-year-old star makes bold claims about leaving Manchester United
Former Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga claims there isn't a big difference between the Red Devils and Nottingham Forest following a move to the latter club this summer.
After coming up the ranks at Manchester United, Elanga decided to join the City Ground for a fee of £15 million on a five-year deal. The 21-year-old attacker completed the transfer after managing just five starts for Erik ten Hag in the Premier League last year.
Overall, he's completed 55 appearances for Manchester United, bagging just four goals and assists each across all competitions. Elanga told the Swedish publication Fotbollskanalen (via Manchester Evening News):
"Nottingham are still a great team historically. They have won two Champions Leagues. So, you could say I've gone from one big team to another big team. The difference isn't that big."
Elanga's current employers managed to win the European Cup in the 1978-79 and 1979-80 seasons while winning the English top division in the 1977-78 campaign.
On his club's start to the season, the winger added:
"We have started well in the league, winning games, drawing some and losing some. But it's a good team, a good city and good players. The season is long and hopefully, we can have a good season."
"I know what the leaders want and how to play. The project and everything there is perfect for me."
Nottingham Forest are currently 13th in the English top flight, having managed nine points from their first eight matches. They face promoted side Luton Town once club football returns after the international break (October 21).
Anthony Elanga's ex-Manchester United teammate backed him to have a great future
Anthony Elanga's former Manchester United teammate Victor Lindelof backed the Nottingham Forest winger to have a great future while speaking about him in January of 2022.
Although representing different clubs at the moment, both players continue to share the pitch for Sweden. They have played beside one another on 37 occasions for club and country without managing a joint goal contribution.
About Elanga, Lindelof said (via Mirror):
"If he keeps doing the things he's doing at the moment, I think he's going to have a great future ahead of him. It's all about staying humble and to keep working hard."
After deciding to join Nottingham Forest in the summer, Elanga has managed a goal and an assist for his current club from eight appearances in the Premier League. However, he's started just two of those matches, a stat he will be looking to better in the coming weeks.