In the ever-unpredictable world of football transfers, hindsight often reveals the missteps clubs wish they could undo. Manchester United, one of the sport’s biggest institutions, has had its fair share of transfer hits and misses, many of which came under the reign of former executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. Known for orchestrating some of the club’s most high-profile signings, including Paul Pogba and Harry Maguire, Woodward’s record in the market has long been a point of debate. While these names arrived with much fanfare, others like Ángel Di María and Alexis Sánchez failed to live up to expectations, turning into costly flops.
Amid all the scrutiny around big-money deals, one decision from Woodward’s era that’s recently come back into focus is the departure of Anthony Elanga. A product of Manchester United’s esteemed youth academy, Elanga was once hailed as a future star. However, after limited game time and modest impact in the first team, he was allowed to leave the club in 2023. At the time, many within the club and among the fanbase saw him as a letdown, a player who failed to deliver on his early promise.
Fast forward less than two full seasons, and Elanga is proving to be one of the more puzzling exits from United in recent memory. Now plying his trade away from Old Trafford, the Swedish winger has flourished, showing consistent form and development that he was never quite afforded the opportunity to showcase during his United tenure. His performances have not only silenced critics but have also outshone some of the Premier League’s expensive attacking talents.
A prime example of this is Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha, who was brought in for a reported £44 million. Despite the significant investment, Cunha’s performances have yet to fully justify the price tag. Meanwhile, Elanga, sold for a fraction of that cost, is outpacing Cunha in key metrics and overall influence on the pitch. His resurgence suggests that Manchester United may have acted too hastily in letting him go, particularly given their ongoing search for consistent attacking options.
The rise of Elanga since his departure serves as a reminder that patience with young talent can sometimes yield greater long-term rewards than high-priced signings. As he continues to impress, his success is becoming a subtle but painful reflection of a decision that could haunt United’s transfer history for years
to come.
