“Elanga Is On His Way To The Top” – Ibrahimovic

Sweden and AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has heaped praise on Manchester United youngster Anthony Elanga for his recent breakthrough with his club.

Having had a breakthrough so far with the first team at Man United, Elanga has been handed his first senior call up with the Swedish national team.

Ibrahimovic who used to play with Elanga’s father at Malmo and met the youngster during his stint at Manchester United, has lauded the young Swede as they will now play alongside one another at international level.

“[Elanga is] a great talent, we are proud and happy that he comes from Sweden,” Ibrahimovic told SVT Sport. “That he can represent Sweden now makes it even bigger.

“He has all the future ahead of him, and if he continues just as he has done, it looks positive. It’s just fighting, never being content, striving for more. How much he can develop depends on him.”

Ibrahimovic also said the nation was proud of Elanga and his exploits at club level and backed him for a lengthy career at the national team.

“We’re all happy and we’re enjoying the adventure he is on,” Ibrahimovic added. “He just started and he’s on the way up so it’s good. You will have something to watch for another 20 years.”

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Elanga has scored two goals in 12 league appearances for Manchester United and the 19-year-old revealed his boyhood admiration of Ibrahimovic and how he used to look up to him.

“You can see for the past 20 years what he’s done for the national team, and obviously at the club football level, you can see the way he’s scoring his goals,” Elanga said. “Even when I was young I used to look up to him, being from Sweden.

“When I found out that he signed for United, I couldn’t wait to speak to him, ask him about the memories he had with my dad. It means a lot, you know, to be able to see him day-in, day-out here, train with him – it’s an honour.”

Sweden will play Czech Republic on Thursday in the World Cup qualifiers playoffs as they continue to push for a spot at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

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