Nicky Butt believes Manchester United sold a ‘fantastic’ player in Anthony Elanga after the winger’s superb performance for Newcastle in the Champions League.
Elanga joined Newcastle in a £52million deal from Nottingham Forest during the summer transfer window. While he has registered just one assist in nine appearances so far, the Sweden international turned in an outstanding performance in Wednesday’s 4-0 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise.
Elanga joined United at 12 years old and broke into the first-team in 2021, scoring a memorable Champions League goal away to Atletico Madrid.
He was deemed surplus to requirements by Erik ten Hag, however, leaving Old Trafford having made 55 appearances in total, joining Forest in the summer of 2023.
Former United star Butt held various roles working with United’s youngsters over the years, including head of academy while Elanga was coming through.
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Having watched over his development, Butt believes the once raw and inconsistent youngster has ‘matured’ into a dangerous wide option.
‘He is a fantastic young footballer, very pacey but he always struggled with the final bit of the game, the crossed and the goals,’ Butt told Match of the Day.
‘But now, he is at that level where he is getting into the area, taking players on and putting some amazing balls into the box.
‘I think he has matured the last 18 months with that final bit. He has slowed himself down a bit to concentrate on putting that final ball in. He’s so direct, he knows what he wants to do and create chances.
‘He attacks the defender every time he gets it and get into the box. It was a brilliant performance tonight. He is a really good professional and he has been clearly working on his final delivery.’
Elanga is one of the quickest players in the Premier League with United given a reminder his searing pace in their defeat to Forest last season.
Having worked hard in training, Butt believes Elanga has now found the balance in knowing when to ‘slow things down’ in order to cause the most damage.
‘You find that with a lot of players who are naturally quick and powerful but raw and lack that little technical bit at the end,’ Butt said.
‘He used to always used to do things at pace but I think it is really important for young players to slow it down and get that final bit right.’