Anthony Elanga transfer fee revealed as reasons Man Utd sold to Nottingham Forest explained

Manchester United have confirmed the departure of academy graduate Anthony Elanga to Nottingham Forest.

The 21-year-old made 55 senior appearances for the club, with Erik ten Hag playing the Swede 26 times last term. Yet Elanga started just one game after the World Cup break - a Carabao Cup tie against League One Charlton Athletic - and didn’t play in any of United’s final 12 Premier League matches in 2022/23.

The emergence of talented youngster Alejandro Garnacho displaced Elanga in the first-team picture, while Facundo Pellistri jumped ahead of him in the pecking order out wide, and Amad has also looked good in pre-season. United feel it’s in the player and club’s best interest for Elanga to move on, while the transfer fee will help finance incoming deals.

Forest paid £15m plus bonuses for Elanga, who joins a bloated squad but one which lacks natural wingers.

Meanwhile, the Swedish international posted a heartfelt goodbye to United via his Instagram account, after the transfer was confirmed.

"Making my debut, playing over 50 times for the first team, scoring in the Champions League and winning a trophy for this incredible club…. If you told me that all of that would happen when I arrived in England at 11 years old I would have been buzzing," he wrote.

"There are so many players and staff that have played a major role in helping to make those dreams become a reality and supported me into developing into the man that I am today. I will be forever grateful to each and every one of you. From the moment that I watched a game from the Stretford End as a young boy I’ve known that United fans are special.

"We’ll always have ‘Rhythm is a dancer’. It meant the world to me and my family every time that we heard that chant. There are not enough words to properly thank you for the unbelievable support.

"It is the right time now for the perfect next step in my career. I’m someone who lives for football and I need to be on the pitch every week doing what I love. I’m 100 percent ready to get started, excited for what comes next and as determined as ever to succeed! Thank you @manchesterunited."