Matic makes Elanga prediction
Anthony Elanga will become a Manchester United regular in the future, according to team-mate Nemanja Matic.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a fabulous pre-season and made an exciting recent cameo appearance off the bench in the Carabao Cup tie with West Ham United.
He has shone for the Under-23s and scored a beauty in the closing stages of Saturday's 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers in Premier League 2, making it four goals in four games at that level this term.
Matic spoke to United Review, the official matchday programme for Wednesday's Champions League win over Atalanta, and was in no doubt that Elanga has the ability and the attitude to make the grade at Old Trafford.
When asked about the Sweden Under-21 international's comments regarding the support the Serbian provided when he was preparing to play for the senior side, Nemanja said: “I’m always happy to help players when they are good lads who want to improve, they want to listen and to learn. Anthony is one of the young players who respects the players that are older than him and the players that have more experience.
“So I am very happy with the way he improves and the way he is training and playing in games. So I think he is a very important player for us, in the future, as I see him in the first XI in the next upcoming seasons.”
Matic, as a senior figure within the squad, is always keen to assist his younger colleagues as they try to make their way in the game.
“Of course, I am always there to help," he added. "It’s always good to see players from the Academy when they join us for a training session.
“I think I can see some of them have great potential and are the future of the club. I don’t know what is the secret of the United Academy but, every year, they bring a couple of top players to the first team. I have to speak with the coaches and the staff within the Academy!”
The club's Under-23s are in Premier League 2 action on Saturday at West Ham United, with kick-off at 15:00 BST. The full match is being shown on MUTV from 17:15 BST, following live coverage of the Under-18s' 11:30 BST kick-off against Wolves.
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