Man Utd exit explained as Elanga reveals why he had to ‘listen to myself’ and join Nottingham Forest

Anthony Elanga has elaborated on his decision to leave Manchester United for Nottingham Forest in the recent summer transfer window.

Elanga left Man Utd after being in their academy since the age of 12 and going on to make 55 appearances for the first team. Nottingham Forest completed his signing in July for a fee believed to be in the region of £15million.

Still only 21 years old, Elanga’s Man Utd career is now a thing of the past. In an interview with Fotbollskanalen, the Sweden international has now shed light on his motivations for leaving.

Asked if it was emotional to depart the club, Elanga replied: “Yes, quite. I grew up there. I was there in the academy. But I have to listen to myself now.

“It was the right step for me and now I want to develop as a player and a person. Now I’m just happy and want to develop as a player and I have a good coach who can help me a lot. Now I just want to show what I can do and score more goals and assists.

“I had a good time there. We just met and then the fans were great to me. It was a good career that I had at United. But now it’s a new step and I want to show the Premier League and also Nottingham that they made the right decision to buy me.”

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The most difficult aspect for Elanga so far, rather than anything on the pitch, has been moving away from his family.

He confirmed: “I was in Manchester for nine years so moving to another city was not easy. That was what was difficult in the beginning.”

Elanga explains Forest choice

On the pitch, the striker seems to be settling in already. His first goal for Forest was the winner against Chelsea over the weekend.

Outlining why he moved to the City Ground, Elanga added: “There were many options, but I think Nottingham was right for me. The club is in the Premier League, has a coach who knows me very well. So, it was right for me.

“We have had a good start with six points after four games. We are developing as a team and I think we can do really well this season.

“It’s been nice. The city is nice. The leaders are nice to me. The players are also good.

“It’s a new team for me so it wasn’t easy at first to move there. But everyone has helped me a lot. Now I am more comfortable.”

Elanga has committed to Forest for the next five years, by the end of which he will be approaching the peak years of his career.

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