By selling Elanga, Man Utd are essentially slapping themselves in the face.

In every Manchester United defeat, the same old problems persist, and to this day, the team has yet to find a clear solution. However, one weakness appears regularly and frequently, and the latest match in the 30th round of the Premier League once again highlighted this.

This time, the main character is a player that Manchester United decided to let go, and he clearly demonstrates the team's shortcomings.

Manchester United's costly mistake

Anthony Elanga, in a match against his former club, scored a memorable goal in the fifth minute after an unstoppable 85-meter run. That goal not only secured three valuable points for Nottingham Forest but also served as a stark reminder of the problems Manchester United still face. This match also marked a crucial step closer to Forest's goal of returning to European competition for the first time in 45 years.

Elanga, who was sold by Manchester United for just £15 million in the summer of 2023, didn't let his former club forget him easily. The Swedish player's goal was the result of a burst of speed that bypassed the Manchester United defense, something they hadn't been able to do throughout the 90 minutes. The goal also became the highlight of the match, and it clearly illustrated what the "Red Devils" were lacking.

Manchester United had a remarkable 24 shots on goal in their match at The City Ground on the morning of April 2nd. However, while the team created numerous attacking opportunities, their finishing lacked accuracy and quality.

Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels finished the match without having to make any truly dangerous saves. This highlights a serious problem: despite having plenty of chances, Manchester United's ability to convert those opportunities into goals is currently extremely limited.

Elanga scored a superb solo goal.

This was a stark contrast to Elanga's superb solo effort. His goal was the result of a quick, skillful run, a testament to his quality and confidence in decisive situations. Elanga did what Manchester United's other attackers in this match failed to do: sharpness and the ability to make the most of opportunities.

This match further highlighted the persistent problems facing the "Red Devils" in the 2024/25 season. Despite numerous chances, Manchester United lacked the decisiveness to score. Attacking players like Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee were unable to make a difference in crucial situations.

Garnacho, despite his notable dribbling skills, lacked precision and decisiveness in crucial moments. Zirkzee, one of the few promising attacking players for Manchester United recently, lacked support from his teammates and failed to create a cohesive link in the game.

Rasmus Højlund was brought on in the second half to try and change things. However, despite his efforts, the Danish striker's performance showed that he is a forward who needs more than just a goal to regain his form. Højlund lacked confidence and was unable to create a link with his teammates, something Manchester United currently severely lacks.

With 24 shots, Manchester United can boast about the number of chances created, but the quality of their finishing was incomparable to their opponents. Especially after Elanga's opening goal, the "Red Devils" were unable to respond incisively. Their shots either lacked accuracy or weren't powerful enough to trouble Sels.

The story of Elanga and the decision to sell a talent.

The sale of Elanga cannot be considered a mistake, at least in the context of Manchester United's decision to sign Antony. However, the bigger issue lies in how the Red Devils reinvest the money from Elanga's sale into the squad, especially in the attacking line.

This is the area where the club has had a lot of problems throughout the season. They've spent a lot of money on signings but haven't been able to make a real improvement in attack.

Manchester United still have many problems to solve.

This becomes even clearer when looking at what Elanga showed in this match. The Swedish player, although not a big star for Forest, made a difference in just a moment. That's what Manchester United are lacking: a striker who can make the most of rare opportunities.

Certainly, the absence of players like Elanga from the current squad is partly why Manchester United haven't been able to perform as they need to. However, the bigger problem lies in the team's inability to effectively connect its attacking pieces. Buying expensive players without improving the quality of the attack is a serious issue.

Manchester United now face a disappointing season, and the Europa League may be their last chance to win a trophy this season. However, without a major overhaul of the squad and an improvement in attacking quality, they will continue to fail to return to the top.

This defeat serves as a reminder of Manchester United's unresolved issues. Opportunities exist, but the ability to capitalize on them is another story. The Red Devils need to act quickly and decisively if they want to avoid a prolonged cycle of disappointment.

Source: https://znews.vn/ban-elanga-man-utd-tu-va-mat-post1542568.html