Anthony Elanga 'close' to signing a new long-term contract with Man Utd

Manchester United youngster Anthony Elanga is in line for a new contract that would reflect his new-found status as a regular member of the first-team squad.

Initially called up to the senior side last season by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Elanga had since dropped back down to Under-23 level in recent months before being recalled by new interim manager Ralf Rangnick.

The young Swede was immediately involved off the bench against Crystal Palace in Rangnick’s first game in charge, before starting in the Champions League against Young Boys. He remained in the matchday squad for the recent trip to Norwich, which remains United’s last game.

Elanga signed a new contract in March, but that was before he made his professional debut and his status is already significantly higher than it was then.

The Daily Telegraph has described Elanga as ‘close’ to signing a new long-term deal, which appears to underline the club’s ongoing faith in his enormous potential.

A clue as to the teenager’s expected first-team role in the second half of the season recently came when United rejected what would have been a first senior international call-up from Sweden for a training camp and friendly in January.

It is not an official FIFA international window but the Swedish club season finishes in December and so January offers a chance for the national team coaching staff to get together with domestic players or those who are on the fringes at other clubs.

It means they need permission from clubs to call players up, but United refused to release Elanga.

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