Manchester United block Everton loan move to sign Anthony Elanga
Manchester United have blocked Everton’s loan move for Anthony Elanga, with Erik ten Hag believing that move to Goodison Park will not be good for the 20-year-old, according to the Daily Mirror.
The nine-time Swedish international has long been a target for the Toffees this month, with GiveMeSport [1 January] reporting that the club were in contact with the player’s agent.
Elanga has seen his game-time limited under Ten Hag at Old Trafford, making only seven starts so far this campaign and registering just one assist to his name.
With Frank Lampard looking to bolster his attacking options this month, in order to steer the Toffees clear from relegation, Elanga is reportedly a player the club were pushing for [United Stand, 9 January].
However, that move may not be in the offing, according to reports. The Mirror [20 January, page 53], Manchester United have blocked the move, with Erik ten Hag believing that the current climate at Goodison Park will not be good for the player’s development.
No surprise
It’s is simply no surprise that the Toffees have reportedly seen a move blocked for Anthony Elanga. United and Ten Hag are clearly looking at the interests of the player, and how he’d develop and refine his qualities during his loan spell away from the club.
And considering the unrest, the increasing fan pressure and toxic atmosphere at Goodison Park, that may not prove a good loan step for Elanga to learn his trade.
The nine-time Swedish international needs a club that will allow him the room and freedom to make mistakes, as well as mature and develop his game even further. He’s at an age where needs opportunities to express himself, and it is clear Goodison Park isn’t the ideal place for him.
If true, this comes as a huge blow for Lampard.
It proves that the Toffees is not an attractive place for young talents and that is seen through images of players like Anthony Gordon being attacked in his car leaving the ground following their defeat to Southampton last weekend.
Players and managers will look at that, and deem the club unsafe and not the ideal environment for young talents to learn their trade. Things have got to change if the Toffees are to become a sustainable and attractive club again.