“I wouldn’t say that…” – Anthony Elanga responds to Erik ten Hag and Man United exit question

Anthony Elanga left Manchester United last summer and joined Premier League side Nottingham Forest for around £15 million.

Elanga, 21, made his debut for United in May 2021 in a Premier League clash against Leicester City and made 55 appearances for the club until his eventual departure.

The winger was offered minimal opportunities under Erik ten Hag after his breakthrough under Ralf Rangnick the prior season.

Read More: Manchester United star told he lacks “crazy appetite” that Scott McTominay offers

He started just seven games across the entire season and ultimately decided to move on to a new adventure after the campaign concluded.

Many believed that the young winger built a fractured relationship with Ten Hag after the minimal chances he was offered.

“Was Ten Hag the reason I left United? No, I wouldn’t say that,” he replied when speaking to SoccerNews.nl. ‘I just wanted to play, that was especially important to me. 

“I’m young and I don’t want to sit on the bench all season, you know? When you’re young you want to play, you want to make mistakes, you want to take risks.

“But he wasn’t the reason for my leaving. There I mainly focused on myself, not on others.”

Elanga has since become one of the key players at the City Ground, with five goals and six assists so far this term.

He will face United for the second time this season later this month in the FA Cup fifth-round.

Last time, Elanga’s side won 2-1 in a shock win against Ten Hag’s men. The 21-year-old assisted the winning goal.