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Anthony Elanga's favourite footballer of all time is not a Manchester United player, but still a great choice

Anthony Elanga's favourite footballer of all time is not a Manchester United player, but still a great choice

Anthony Elanga has revealed his idols growing up after a great breakout season at Manchester United.

Anthony Elanga enjoyed a good breakout season with Manchester United last season.

Scoring eight goals and assisting five, he rather exploded onto the scene under Ralf Rangnick during the second half of the season.

He was originally scheduled to go on loan during the second half of the 2021/22 season, however after impressing the German interim manager in training, his loan move was cancelled and Elanga played the season out as a Red Devil.

A player who is known for his speed and explosiveness, the young Swede can be a nightmare in behind for defenders.

During a Q&A with Manchester United fans, Elanga was questioned on his favourite footballer of all time.

“Favourite footballer of all time is Thierry Henry, for me. In my opinion,” he revealed.

“He is one of the players I grew up watching. Of all time? Yeah, for me, it’s Thierry Henry.

“He’s a role model I grew up watching.”

When asked more specifically on his favourite United player ever, he could not choose.

“There’s so many,” he said. “I can’t just pick one, but if I have to pick one, Sir Bobby Charlton. But there’s so many, I can’t just pick one.”

Elanga then continued to speak on who his more broad sporting idols are, and opted for two of the world’s greatest ever basketball players.

Anthony Elanga shushes Leeds United fans at Elland Road after scoring against them. (Alamy)
Anthony Elanga shushes Leeds United fans at Elland Road after scoring against them. (Alamy)

“In general sports, for me, it could be Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, in terms of mentality and the way they approach things.

“If I was to pick, them two. Yeah.”

Outside of football, Elanga revealed that his parents are his biggest inspirations.

“Inspirations? I’d say my parents. But from a football side of it, even my dad played football as well.”

Joseph Elanga, the Young winger’s father, was a professional footballer.

He played as a defender for several clubs in his career, most notably alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Malmo FF in Sweden.

“Obviously, I’ve already said Thierry Henry and the way he plays left wing, right wing, striker,” Elanga continued. “He’s someone that I looked up to when I was growing up.”

Elanga has set himself a goal for this season.

“My goal is to obviously play as many games as I can for the first team, score many goals, and play a huge part in this team and hopefully win trophies.”

Manchester United will take on Brentford in the Premier League away from home on Saturday.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Manchester United, Anthony Elanga, Thierry Henry, Michael Jordan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic

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