Anthony Elanga has opened up about his “frustrations” at Manchester United and revealed talks with manager Erik ten Hag.
The 20-year-old academy graduate was relied on regularly last season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick but was limited to mainly substitute appearances with Ten Hag.
Joining the first team last season, Elanga’s 27 games have seen 16 starts and three goals, but this campaign he has just seven starts in 24 appearances and is yet to score.
Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, Anthony and Wout Weghorst have arrived, while Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Pellistri appear to have moved up the pecking order.
Discussing his lack of media minutes while on national duty with Sweden, Elanga said: “It’s frustrating. Do you want to play. It is important. But if you don’t play, it’s not up to me but to the coach.
“I’ve spoken to Erik and it’s private between the two of us. I know what he wants me to do and I can keep training hard. When the opportunity comes I just have to be ready for it. grab.
“We have a lot of dialogue, not only about it, but also about what is happening around it. That’s what’s good with the club, we talk a lot and they help me a lot.
Elanga was linked with leaving in the January transfer window, at least on loan, with Borussia Dortmund and PSV Eindhoven reportedly interested in the winger.
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Asked about the rumours, he said: “We’ve talked about it, but right now my focus is on United. We still have a big season ahead of us and we need to finish it as well as possible.
“It was January, now I can’t focus on it. The best I can do is focus on the rest of the season and then talk to the club.
“I like the club, but it’s important for me to play. I’m still young. We’ve spoken to the club and they know what’s required and I know what’s required.
Just like at club level, Elanga was unable to step onto the pitch in Sweden’s 3-0 loss to Belgium and was asked about similar frustrations with the national team.
I can’t focus on much,” he said. “It is Janne (Andersson) who chooses eleven players. I can only focus on what I’m doing on the training ground.
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