Manager Ralf Rangnick has said that Elanga is an ‘example’ for certain players following the young striker scoring his first Champions League goal in the draw against Atletico Madrid.
Half-time in Madrid, Ralf Rangnick realized that a radical intervention was required. It wasn’t substitutes or anything related to tactics. It was all psychological.
Rangnick did not believe that Manchester United was performing at the level of intensity that was required, particularly when they were playing against Atletico Madrid, as enthused as they were.
“This is just not enough,” the German said to his players. “You have fought the whole season to be in the Champions League, you have to raise yourself.”
Rangnick was not able to get the “conviction” he wanted, but United remained quite listless. They were largely open. There were certain tactical issues to be resolved, and the addition of Nemanja Matic brought better balance.
It was the arrival of a young 19-year-old that brought about a change in the mood. There are several reasons Rangnick is a fan of Anthony Elanga. He’s already noticed that the youngster, as well as Jadon Sancho, were among the ones who responded the best to his coaching. Rangnick believes Elanga is “super reliable”, offering enthusiasm and energy both in the possession as well as out.
It was this belief that led to United’s crucial equalizing goal and the draw. This is what earned so much praise from Rangnick.
“He plays with joy,” the German smiled. “He is aware of his strengths and is always looking to demonstrate them. He has demonstrated what can be achieved in football when he follows the right way. That is exactly what he does during each training class.”
In another context, Rangnick had said that Elanga is an “example” to some of his players.
Some might think that this refers to players such as Marcus Rashford, or Cristiano Ronaldo, but there’s a bigger idea behind it.
Every word that was spoken about Elanga was once made about Rashford. There was a time when there was confidence. There was that enthusiasm. Rashford was among the few bright spots during a rather dull year for United.
He was among the few players to gave a truly awful game against Atletico.
This is the reason why, even though it was a draw, it felt like being a disappointing evening for United. Before the final 15 minutes, there was some pretty good competition for the worst player on the field. Rashford appeared to be inefficient every time he received the ball. He was constantly making poor choices, whether it was in passing, runs, or even touches, which is a sign of a player who is in poor form and lacking confidence. Paul Pogba, however, was absent for the most part. There were huge gaps all over the places the player was supposed to be on the field; as if he wasn’t trying to be involved or even attempting to take the ball as an athlete of his caliber would.
A mostly inactive Ronaldo was being taken for free spins. This was done by Atletico, the team that he would psychologically terrorize. There was a raucous performance of “suuuuiii!” – Ronaldo’s signature expression when he scores – all around the stadium after he skied an unintentional free-kick during the final minute. Bruno Fernandes had many such moments. As he tried to thread one through the ball just prior to the Ronaldo free-kick, the Portuguese launched the ball off into the sky. He also kept throwing his ball to others.
Up until, with Elanga running a move that required concentration, Fernandes finally got one right. He certainly benefited from Jose Gimenez getting it wrong. However, the thrill of his play was certainly akin to the excitement of Elanga’s game.
It was a moment of decisiveness. To be fair, that is exactly why people refer to Fernandes as “a moments player”. He is able to do nothing or make mistakes for 89 minutes, and then give that unique bit of motivation.
The contrast between Rangnick and Elanga and how they came together highlights the problems at United currently. This also highlights some of the progress under Rangnick.
It’s not a stretch to say that United is, more than a team, a group of individuals that includes Fernandes, perhaps being the best one. Managers have difficulty with him to coach. He moves everywhere. He has his own way of doing things.
Elanga is, however, a coach’s ideal. His running was what brought United together in this stadium, and that inspired a ferocity that increased the efficiency that the players.
He’s a person who can make a difference but in a different way than what people usually think of when they say it. He is a player of conviction who can help bring the team closer.
