Agreed.
36
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 26
- Goals
- 0
- Assists
- 2
- Yellow cards
- 0
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
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Elanga is another average United youngster who's been promoted to the first team thanks to our lack of personnel the past few years and whom people overestimate his ability just because he lucked out into becoming a United first teamer. The fact people are saying he's even a squad level player is hilarious to me. Go down and look at bottom 5 teams and they'll show you better player than Elanga.
Kid doesn't do anything particularly well, he has no technical qualities, utterly poor on the ball. Gives us nothing as an option forward, every time he gets the ball in advanced positions he just squanders it due to poor control, inability to pass properly and general inability to keep the ball. He's lucky he somehow made it in the first team last season otherwise, coming into the club with him ye to be promoted, Ten Hag wouldn't have looked at him twice.
I'm fed up of seeing us persisting with these average United academy products whom no matter how many years and chances they get given, they remain average or mediocre. Enough of your Lingard, Cleverley, McTomminay, etc. Hopefully we don't follow the same route with Elanga, an obviously mediocre talent being persistently given chances after chances to perpetually stink up the place for years.
Kid doesn't do anything particularly well, he has no technical qualities, utterly poor on the ball. Gives us nothing as an option forward, every time he gets the ball in advanced positions he just squanders it due to poor control, inability to pass properly and general inability to keep the ball. He's lucky he somehow made it in the first team last season otherwise, coming into the club with him ye to be promoted, Ten Hag wouldn't have looked at him twice.
I'm fed up of seeing us persisting with these average United academy products whom no matter how many years and chances they get given, they remain average or mediocre. Enough of your Lingard, Cleverley, McTomminay, etc. Hopefully we don't follow the same route with Elanga, an obviously mediocre talent being persistently given chances after chances to perpetually stink up the place for years.
He's obviously not good enough but I understand why he's playing. He offers some directness, pace and work rate, which the team and particularly forward line is lacking. I hope we bring in Antony or another, and that in time Diallo or Garnacho get opportunities ahead of Elanga.
However It's completely understandable Garnacho isn't playing just yet, he's young, has some developing to do, hasn't even been training with the first team all that long, and with the team still finding its feet its risky to both us and the kid to throw him in. Elanga is a safer option in the here and now.
Diallo, I'm less sure why he isn't playing. We made a big investment in him, he has actually done well when he has had a few opportunities, and is clearly ahead in terms of technique, and he's a couple years older than Diallo. It may just be he's seen as someone who will be ready later due to his physique, or it may be that he hasn't impressed enough I suppose.
Either way, I hope in the coming months we are stronger as a team, having more control of possession and being resolute defensively, the team in winning form, at which point you can see opportunities being given to the younger, more flair options in Garnacho or Diallo chance.
However It's completely understandable Garnacho isn't playing just yet, he's young, has some developing to do, hasn't even been training with the first team all that long, and with the team still finding its feet its risky to both us and the kid to throw him in. Elanga is a safer option in the here and now.
Diallo, I'm less sure why he isn't playing. We made a big investment in him, he has actually done well when he has had a few opportunities, and is clearly ahead in terms of technique, and he's a couple years older than Diallo. It may just be he's seen as someone who will be ready later due to his physique, or it may be that he hasn't impressed enough I suppose.
Either way, I hope in the coming months we are stronger as a team, having more control of possession and being resolute defensively, the team in winning form, at which point you can see opportunities being given to the younger, more flair options in Garnacho or Diallo chance.
He’s good for games against the top two in the league, abit like Ji Sung Park. That’s no criticism of him but I think he’ll be playing for Everton or Southampton in a couple of years when United have better players
I can't stand how easily he goes down. And he never gets the decisions. Yet he persist with it. Baffling.
I don't mind him being the 4th/5th choice for the wings because he's a good lad but he's not good enough for anything higher
I don't mind him being the 4th/5th choice for the wings because he's a good lad but he's not good enough for anything higher
His best game for a long while, but I think it’s apparent he’s not of the standard. I’m not sure we can have a player in our front 3 to provide ‘industry’ in the current game. Of course, we’ve been on our knees of late so he can get in just to help us avoid being destroyed by at least being able to compete - but it’s not enough.
Ji Sung was a menace, wish we had someone like him now
I think he did ok today. He did well for the series of chances we missed when Eriksen missed the sitter in the first half and he played a big part in our goal. He also did well for our goal v Liverpool.
He can still play a role this season and improve further.
He can still play a role this season and improve further.
Did alright. One thing I like about him is his willingness to take on his man although it didn't work out for him today.
We could definitely do with an upgrade but I think there's a place in the squad for him.
We could definitely do with an upgrade but I think there's a place in the squad for him.
You really should change your name here to lackofcriticalanalysis..
After today's performance, it further reiterates the insanity of some of the posters here.
He was extremely poor at everything I listed there.
As an attacker in todays game you either have to offer some sort of chance creation or direct threat on goal. Elanga offers neither so it ends up looking like a busy performance that never actually did anything. The chance when he was put through by Bruno and didnt get a shot off was infuriating
We definitely could.
Park had stamina, but he had a great awareness of space, and was tactically astute. He wasn't just a runner, though he could do that.
In a tight game, where we didn't create too much, Elanga was involved in almost every decent moment we had. Does he deserve any praise for his industry, movement, pace, work rate? Or do you just say right place right time, call him a headless chicken and move on?
That said, if the rest of his game was so poor then maybe that's why he comes in for so much flack?
Don't get me wrong, I'm not oblivious to his short comings. His final pass, shot, touch... well everything... is poor. He clearly lacks composure and he may never develop it. But he is also only 20 years old and it really isn't his fault that 3 games into the season, we are still only one injury away from him being a starter. If you want to be angry at anyone for that, look a bit higher up in the club structure.
That said, if the rest of his game was so poor then maybe that's why he comes in for so much flack?
Elanga's touches to lost possession percentage was around 70/30. Using the front six for comparison, that was the same as Eriksen, Fernandez and Rashford. Sancho 75/25. McTominay 80/20.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not oblivious to his short comings. His final pass, shot, touch... well everything... is poor. He clearly lacks composure and he may never develop it. But he is also only 20 years old and it really isn't his fault that 3 games into the season, we are still only one injury away from him being a starter. If you want to be angry at anyone for that, look a bit higher up in the club structure.
Feel free to provide it rather than a two worded response to the initial post. The majority of people here agree he's not at a high level or even promising level based on what he's shown so far.
Not sure about others but I don't have any personal hate or anger towards players. I just try to objectively critique their game as much as I can and I try to give leeway as much as possible.
In Elanga's case, whilst he does have surprising (and to his credit, it may be an ability/trait) clutch moments like getting to the end of the chance against Liverpool etc his bottom level is so so poor. I would love to see an all touch compilation but most of his ball losses were from low-risk percentage situations imo e.g ball received in space, or in transition where he had time to stop fully and recycle possession i.e not times where he had to go for a higher-risk outcome. Maybe it's just me but even his involvement in the goal, when I was watching it in real time, I thought he had a loose touch and the Southampton was going to easily intercept/block it but for some reason he wasn't paying attention and dallied.
Most of what you talked are garbage. Therefore, nothing is worth to specifically pointing out.
Critical thinking needs at least consideration of context and circumstances. You apparently lack of that.
when you say “majority”, you are already fooled by yourself.
Of course not, just to be clear, I was merely using your quote as some context of the general perception of his all round game, everything after wasn't directed at you in particular.
I mean maybe his possession losses were more egregious than the others (I'm not sure I believe that entirely, but I do remember a few frustrating ones), the point I am making is that even with his deficiencies he still managed to be more involved in our big moments than our other attackers. I also wouldn't classify it as him being "clutch", to me that suggests someone who has the ability to raise their game for big moments, I think the good things he is involved in comes down to pure industry and persistence.
Put it this way, we have Ronaldo sitting on the bench who without any hyperbole is probably better than Elanga at every skill or technique with a football you could imagine. However if Ronaldo starts that game over him, are we still confident we win it 1-0?
We should be trying to sell whilst he is viewed as a solid Premier league player and on wages mid table clubs can afford, we could easily get 20 -30 million for him.
It's the same with garner, at the very least both could bring in 40 million which would help towards buying a first team player
It's the same with garner, at the very least both could bring in 40 million which would help towards buying a first team player
You're taking this very personally and again you've added nothing to this discussion.
Apart from Rashford, is that true though? Sancho in the first half was our 'best' outlet and whilst he didn't exactly take on his full back, was progressing the ball with little to no support. He and Elanga probably 'lost' it the same amount of times but the former was in tight situations, trying to create space in low-risk situations. Elanga got to the end of a shot, which he should have done better (again like against Liverpool). In the second half, he started the dribble, which led to Sancho playing the quick touch and pass for Dalot to cross for Bruno's opener.
All attackers were poor and sort of 'equally' involved and not imo but Elanga's bottom level was much lower and in low-risk situations, which is my basis of analysing his game. As for the last line, Rashford would have been playing as LW and Ronaldo up front so I'd be inclined to say yes with the way the game turned out but who knows. Anyways, I'm not blaming him for being first choice, I'm just simply saying he's not showing good enough ability. Rating his output and effectiveness is bit of a misnomer, like McTominay's (being there for height) performance.
He assisted the first goal against Liverpool and made the run with the ball into the box followed by a dummy run for the Soton goal. He'll keep getting playing time because he's doing everything the manager asks him to.
I doubt anyone is giving us that much for him. They're watching our matches too.
He's a useful squad player and he can still improve because he's young. With Antony coming in we won't have to start him so often now and he can be used in games were we're up and looking to counter and work hard.
I do think a lot of the trouble with his play(bad touch and technique and head down running) stems from nervousness and that should calm down the more used to senior football he gets.
He works hard and he is fit and available to play almost every game. That is rare for Utd attackers.
He ultimately isn't good enough for Utd in my opinion but I can see why managers have been picking him.
He ultimately isn't good enough for Utd in my opinion but I can see why managers have been picking him.
I think that's the issue. If he want to dominate games you can't have players having two three good moments per game. To play fluid and dominant football the attackers have to consistently contribute towards things like retaining possesion, advancing the move etc otherwise well get pinned back like against STH.
I like that elanga works very hard but quality wise he's not really up to the mark right how.
The ability and willingness to run and follow the instructions of the manager and play in a variety of different roles, even at only a decent level is a very useful skillset. It means that player can provide cover for multiple positions and allows for tactical flexibility based on the opponent. He won't be starting many games but if Elanga can press effectively, track back and participate in attacking moves like he's shown then he'll be a useful squad player.
Also I think it's worth mentioning that he's 20 and actually has shown some decent skill at times. He nutmegged that Liverpool defender to get Sancho the ball on the first goal against Liverpool. He works hard and gets to where he's supposed to be on the pitch. He's got some time to improve his technical skill to get past players and finish chances.
The ability to not loose possession while also being able to create chances or beat your man is what separates a mediocre attacking player from the really good ones. The little that I've seen of Garnacho he excels at this, while unfortunately Elanga does not. He does have the raw abilities but he needs to stop loosing possession if he wants to have a career at the Premier League level.
Leicester 0:1 Man Utd
Love me a hard worker, but this guy just ain’t it.
He works hard.
Still is young, good squad player but not someone who u see as a future regular.
Still is young, good squad player but not someone who u see as a future regular.
Hopefully, this is it for him.
He needs to be sold in the next transfer window.
He needs to be sold in the next transfer window.
His pace gave us good gaps in the first half but other than that he does nothing in front. Thankfully we got a brazilian coming to show us some dribbling magic we missing for years.
He’s just a bit shit sadly
no end product, no real skill. “Works hard” seems to be the only thing you can say but that is what’s expected. He doesn’t even work harder than most others either
Times up
no end product, no real skill. “Works hard” seems to be the only thing you can say but that is what’s expected. He doesn’t even work harder than most others either
Times up
Not the truth, but can never fault him for effort.
Just don't want to see him start, ever. It is a signal for negative football at this club, where your winger exclusively excels in defensive duties.
Just don't want to see him start, ever. It is a signal for negative football at this club, where your winger exclusively excels in defensive duties.
Put the kid out of his misery already. He's clearly out of his depth playing as a starter for a team like Man United, just spare him the flak and let him return to the bench.
Shouldn't be starting any game let alone 3 in a row. Heck he shouldn't even be on the bench, I see no quality in this kid, not even flashes. Normally with talented kid, you don't expect consistency and you expect them to disappear in games but what they give you are flashes which Elanga doesn't give at all.
Only positive was when he sprinted onto Rashford's pass and then put in an ordinary cross that was defended. Still loses the physical battle almost every time.
Runs
Perfect player to bring on for the last 10/15 minutes of a game as he’s super fit and has lots of energy, can press like mad when teams are tiring. Shouldn’t be a starter and shouldn’t be playing 60 minutes. Has a place In the squad though imo. We always seem to flag later in games so he would be a good answer to the lack of energy problem we seem to have.
He was worse than Rashford. Simply doesn’t belong here, not enough ability and footballing intelligence.
Same work rate of Lingard with a tiny fraction of the ability.
Terrible, but he won't play much when Antony starts playing and hopefully Martial stays fit.
He's just blatantly not good enough.
Defensive winger.
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