The Swedish player started at United’s academy in 2014, played his way into his first-team debut in 2020, but realized in 2023 that the bench at one of the world’s biggest clubs was still just a bench. The move to Nottingham Forest in 2023 was what it took for things to loosen up. Plenty of playing time, delivering 17 assists and 8 goals in 67 games have given the 22-year-old a solid position at the club. Therefore, being on the bench is very untempting, even when the national team coach calls.
Because that is exactly what Sweden’s national team coach Jon Dahl Tomasson has offered Elanga last autumn. The entire October gathering was spent on the bench, not what the winger with an important role for the Premier League’s 3rd best club expected.
In the next national team gathering, Elanga was not selected, simply because the Danish coach had not received an answer to the calls. Dahl Tomasson stated that he expected to talk to Elanga before the next gathering in March. Still no answers.
-I am happy to see that he is doing well. He is one of the players we follow. I’ve called him seven times in total, and I’ve also sent messages. So the ball is now in his court, says the national team coach to Expressen.
After a few years on the bench at Manchester United, Elanga has apparently been vaccinated against being treated as a substitute.
