Anthony Elanga gave Manchester United a brutal reminder of his talent as he scored a sensational solo goal to secure a 1-0 victory for Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.
The former United academy graduate returned to haunt his old club with a fifth-minute strike that proved decisive at the City Ground.
Forest's win moves them another step closer to Champions League qualification in what has been a remarkable season.
Elanga's moment of brilliance came after he picked up the ball near his own penalty area and embarked on a mazy run through the heart of United's defence.
Former United player Anthony Elanga returned to haunt his old club
Reuters
The Swede charged the length of the pitch with three United players in pursuit, none of whom managed to halt his progress.
He then calmly slotted past Andre Onana into the corner, delivering a finish of remarkable composure against his former employers.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side put in a resolute defensive display to protect their early advantage despite significant pressure from the visitors.
United struggled to create clear-cut chances throughout the match, with Alejandro Garnacho providing their biggest threat but frequently losing possession or firing off-target.
The Red Devils came agonisingly close to a late equaliser when Harry Maguire's effort was cleared off the line in the dying seconds.
It was not a poor performance from United, but they lacked the cutting edge to break down Forest's stubborn resistance.
The decision to sell Elanga for just £15m in the summer of 2023 now appears increasingly questionable for Manchester United.
The 22-year-old has flourished at Forest, registering six goals and eight assists this season.
Only Bruno Fernandes has more goal contributions at Forest since Elanga's arrival, highlighting his importance to Nuno's side.
United's choice to offload Elanga rather than Antony, Marcus Rashford or Jadon Sancho seems particularly puzzling, with all three subsequently being loaned out.
Anthony Elanga scored a wonder goal with a solo run in a 1-0 win for Forest
Reuters
Forest have now completed the league double over Manchester United, further deepening the Red Devils' dire season.
The defeat marked United's 13th loss in the Premier League, harming Ruben Amorim's side's confidence ahead of Sunday's derby against Manchester City.
For Forest, the victory puts them a significant step closer to securing Champions League football next season.
As things stand, Elanga will be playing in Europe's elite competition while his former club continues to struggle.
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Harry Maguire had an effort cleared off the line in the 96th minute
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Elanga offered a muted celebration out of respect for his former club, but the gesture only emphasised United's potential mistake in letting him go.
The Sweden international's performance suggests he would likely earn a place in Amorim's starting XI if he were still at Old Trafford.
Instead, Forest are reaping the rewards of United's questionable transfer decision as they march towards Champions League qualification.
For Elanga, the goal was the perfect message to his former employers about his true value.
