Elanga on hand for Youth Cup advice
Anthony Elanga knows what it is like to compete in the FA Youth Cup for Manchester United – indeed it was not long ago he was facing Chelsea's Under-18s for a place in the final.
The winger, now established in the first-team set-up, hit the woodwork with a great effort when the Reds lost 1-0 to the Blues in October 2020.
Travis Binnion's 2021/22 side have reached the final, the first time the club has made it this far since 2011, and will meet Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford next Wednesday. The East Midlanders, coached by former United Reserves boss Warren Joyce, stand in the way of us lifting the silverware but, with tickets priced at only £1, which is being donated to Manchester United Foundation, more than 50,000 Reds are expected to attend.
So it promises to be a special occasion at the Theatre of Dreams and one that Elanga is sure the youngsters will rise to.
"I remember playing in the semi-finals against Chelsea so I wish them all the best for the final," Elanga told United Review. "Hopefully, they do well and win it.
"The crowd will get behind them and I just know the lads will feel it and use it to their advantage.
"You know what you can expect from a Joycey team. They will be physical and will be letting you know they are in there early, but I feel confidence in the young lads and just wish them all the best. Hopefully, they can bring the FA Youth Cup back to United."
Elanga says he is keen to offer any advice to the current Under-18s, who can look up to him and what he has achieved in a short space of time. The Sweden international may only just have turned 20, but they will be striving to follow in his footsteps, just as he has done with the likes of Scott McTominay, who also knows what it is like to progress from the youth team into the senior side.
"I've been speaking to the likes of Scott," he added. "He's a top professional who has been in the Academy as well and knows how it is to transition from the Academy to the first team. It's good to speak to Scott about things like this and it's good to have good people around you. It's important."
Youth Cup highlights: Chelsea 1 United 0
Watch the key moments, including that audacious Elanga overhead kick, as the Reds lose narrowly in the semi-final...
"I always like to speak and give advice to anyone, even though I'm still young myself," he explained, when asked if he will be passing on any tips to the Reds' trophy hopefuls.
"Even though I'm 20 now, I'm willing to ask for advice and I'm willing to give advice as well. That's the sort of person I am."
Book your tickets now for the chance to see United's Under-18s take on their Nottingham Forest counterparts in the final next Wednesday.