Elanga: Why we've got a fantastic Old Trafford record

United lost just two of our 33 Old Trafford outings across all competitions in 2022/23, equaling a club record of 27 wins in a single campaign, previously achieved in our Premier League title-winning term of 20 years prior.

Quite the atmosphere has been created in M16 over the course of Erik ten Hag’s first year at the helm, and both the boss and his players have used the word ‘fortress’ to describe the environment at the Theatre of Dreams over recent months. 

In a recent interview with club media, Elanga had his say, insisting that our home fortunes are no coincidence.

“We've got a fantastic record now at Old Trafford,” he began.

“One, it is to do with the fans, and two, to do with our attitude and wanting to win because that's what United is about. It's about winning, winning and winning.

“I feel like that's really been instilled into us by the manager and also by the players, you know, wanting to win and wanting to get trophies. And I feel like it will only get better. 

“That’s all we can do, just keep progressing and winning.”

The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2021/22 and, off the back of that, the 2022/23 campaign was his first full one as a member of the senior squad.

That’s meant Old Trafford matchdays were a frequent experience for Elanga this term and therefore he has seen close up the impact our supporters are able to make in M16.

“They’re our 12th man, so you could say,” he added.

“[They have been] crucial to some of the games that we've been struggling to win. 

“But we managed to win because they pushed us, so yeah, the 12th man has been helping us a lot this season.”

There were several particularly memorable triumphs along the way of course, and the majority of United fans opted for January’s derby victory over Manchester City as the best, via a recent poll on ManUtd.com and the United App.

But which match would Elanga go for? Judging by this answer in response to a question on our first win of the season, at home to Liverpool, our no.36 would opt for the super-charged encounter against our Merseyside rivals…

“That game [was] probably one of the best, if not the best game this season because we came back from losing two games in a row and that game was crucial for us to win. 

“As soon as we came out, Old Trafford was bouncing, I feel like that gave us that energy to beat Liverpool. 

“I feel like that kickstarted our season and then from there we have just been improving and progressing.”