Anthony Elanga came back to haunt Manchester United on Tuesday night.
The Sweden international scored a remarkable solo goal in just the fifth minute to hand Nottingham Forest a 1-0 win over the Red Devils, a result which keeps Manchester United 13th in the Premier League.
In regards to Nottingham Forest, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side remain third, in what has been a truly impressive 2024/25 campaign. They are also in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
| Position | Team | Played MP |
Won W |
Drawn D |
Lost L |
For GF |
Against GA |
Diff GD |
Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool |
29 | 21 | 7 | 1 | 69 | 27 | 42 | 70 |
| 2 |  ArsenalArsenal |
30 | 17 | 10 | 3 | 55 | 25 | 30 | 61 |
| 3 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest |
30 | 17 | 6 | 7 | 50 | 35 | 15 | 57 |
| 4 |  ChelseaChelsea |
29 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 53 | 37 | 16 | 49 |
| 5 |  Man CityManchester City |
29 | 14 | 6 | 9 | 55 | 40 | 15 | 48 |
| 6 |  NewcastleNewcastle |
28 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 47 | 38 | 9 | 47 |
| 7 |  BrightonBrighton |
29 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 48 | 42 | 6 | 47 |
| 8 |  FulhamFulham |
30 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 44 | 40 | 4 | 45 |
| 9 |  Aston VillaAston Villa |
29 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 41 | 45 | -4 | 45 |
| 10 |  B’mouthBournemouth |
29 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 48 | 36 | 12 | 44 |
| 11 |  BrentfordBrentford |
29 | 12 | 5 | 12 | 50 | 45 | 5 | 41 |
| 12 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace |
28 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 36 | 33 | 3 | 39 |
| 13 |  Man UtdManchester United |
30 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 37 | 41 | -4 | 37 |
After seeing Anthony Elanga race beyond several defenders to score, a number of Manchester United fans are presumably wondering whether a buyback clause was negotiated in the deal which saw him move to the City Ground in July 2023.
Manchester United did negotiate a clause, but not a buyback clause
When selling the Swede to Nottingham Forest for £15m, Manchester United only inserted a sell-on clause into the deal, with no buyback clause agreed upon.
ANTHONY ELANGA, THAT IS INCREDIBLE! ⚡
The winger scores a blistering solo goal against his former side 👏
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/9J38PnbMsV
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 1, 2025
That is according to the Mirror.
However, the value of this sell-on clause remains undisclosed, but even if it is worth just 20%, that could still land Manchester United millions in future if Elanga, who Wayne Rooney admires, maintains his superb form.
The Nottingham Forest No.21 now has six goals and eight assists in 30 Premier League appearances this season, a fine return for someone who has played on the left, right and also centrally.
Anthony Elanga has no hard feelings towards Manchester United
It would be easy for the 22-year-old to feel bitterness towards the Red Devils after they offloaded him, but he remains grateful for what he learned at Old Trafford.
Speaking after Nottingham Forest beat Manchester United 1-0 on Tuesday, Elanga, who Everton wanted, said: “All you want to do is keep on improving. Coming here is about playing and developing. I appreciate Manchester United so much as I learned a lot there. I am enjoying my football and I want to keep on going.”
