Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

‘Frustrated’ Man Utd attacker quizzed on Barcelona links and hints at summer exit after ‘private’ Ten Hag chats

Anthony Elanga and Jadon Sancho of Man Utd

A ‘frustrated’ Manchester United forward has revealed that he has already had ‘private’ chats with Erik ten Hag over his lack of game time and will have further talks with the club over his future this summer.

Anthony Elanga was a regular off the bench in the first part of the campaign. However, his playing time have been limited to a total of just 49 minutes since the January transfer window closed and the winger is clearly concerned.

The 20-year-old was known to have had a number of suitors chasing his services in the winter window, with Everton and Barcelona both reported to have asked the question. However, Ten Hag did not want to deplete his squad while the club were still battling on four fronts.

But the form of Marcus Rashford, Antony, a returning Jadon Sancho and the emergence of Alejandro Garnacho has meant Elanga has made just four substitute appearances since the end of January.

Elanga was an unused sub as Sweden were thumped 3-0 at home by Belgium on Friday evening. And he admits that he just wants regular football at this stage of his career.

Asked about his lack of game time at Old Trafford, Elanga told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet: “It is frustrating. You want to play, it’s important. But whether you play or not, it’s up to the coach not me.

“I have spoken to Erik and it is private between the two of us.

“I know what he wants me to do and I just keep training hard. When the opportunity comes, I just have to be ready to take it.

“We have a lot of conversations, not only about [the lack of game time] but also what is happening around. That’s the good thing about the club, we talk a lot and they help me a lot.”

Elanga quizzed on Barcelona links

As for how close he actually came to moving on in January, Elanga added: “There was talk about it. But right now I’m focusing on United. We still have a big season ahead of us and need to finish as well as possible.”

Elanga was even asked if moving to Barcelona was a possibility, to which he replied: “That was in January, I can’t focus on that now.

“The best thing I can do is focus on the rest of the season [with United] and then I will get to talk to the club.

“I love the club, but it’s important for me to play. I’m still young. We have spoken to the club and they know what is required and I know what is required.”

United are back in action on Sunday April 2 when they head to top-four rivals Newcastle.

READ MORE: Electric international forward destined for Man Utd as Prem star believes he ‘is a United player’