Manchester United’s Anthony Elanga has made the 40-player shortlist for the prestigious European Golden Boy award.
As reported in The Mirror, the United striker is still in the running, making it through the last round of voting.
The award is given to the best under 21 player on the continent, voted for by Europe’s leading journalists.
The 20-year-old hopes to make it to the final 20-player roster, with the winner to be revealed in the final months of the calendar year.
Having broken into the first team under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Elanga has played 36 times for United and has appeared in five of Erik Ten Hag’s first six league games this season.
He has also risen internationally, winning five caps and scoring one goal for his native Sweden.
Elanga’s attitude has played a major role in her rise over the last 18 months. The Swede was one of the few bright lights in a dismal campaign last time out.
The highlight of the young striker’s United career so far arguably came in the Champions League round of 16 tie against Atletico Madrid. Elanga scored United’s equalizer on the night with a tidy finish past Jan Oblak, prompting the visiting winger to serenade him well into the night.
Despite Elanga’s impressive rise, it would be a huge surprise if she were to win the award. Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga is the favourite, as he helped the Spaniard win their 14th Champions League title.
Barcelona’s Pedri is the current holder of the award. Anderson, Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial are the three players who have held the title at Old Trafford.
Wherever she is located, Elanga can be very proud of her performance over the past year and the award nomination is a well-deserved recognition of her efforts.
ELanga will look to continue his rise at United under Ten Hag. With a packed schedule ahead of him, the striker will almost certainly have a chance to impress.
