Anthony Elanga sparks debate over celebration after scoring sublime goal against Man Utd

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ANTHONY ELANGA scored a wondergoal against former club Manchester United as fans hailed it the “goal of the season” – but left viewers divided with his celebration.

The Nottingham Forest star, 22, scored what proved to be the winner within five minutes thanks to an outrageous solo effort.

Soccer player celebrating a goal.
Anthony Elanga refused to celebrate wildly, despite the special nature of the goal, merely pointing to the sky
Anthony Elanga scoring a goal during a soccer match.
Elanga picked the ball up in his own half, drove up the pitch and poked home
Nottingham Forest players celebrating a goal.
Fans were divided over Elanga’s muted celebration, as some called it ‘cold’ while others thought he should have gone bigger

As the Midlanders cleared their lines from a corner, Elanga picked the ball up in his own half.

The Swedish international weaved his way through three Man Utd defenders and kept going all the way into United’s box.

He covered an incredible 85 metres in just nine seconds hitting around 21mph, keeping near-Olympic 100m pace, to catch United on their heels.

Micky van de Ven’s 23mph sprint remains the quickest by a Premier League star this season, with Matheus Nunes and Bryan Mbeumo hot on his heels – but Elanga’s feat is all the more impressive as hit top speed with the ball glued to his feet.

The speedster then poked the ball past Andre Onana – whom Forest had “taken the p*** out of in their matchday programme – to give his team the lead.

Elanga, showing respect for the club he joined aged 12, refused to celebrate.

But fans were more than happy to celebrate on his behalf.

One wrote on X: “Elanga just scored the goal of the season against United.”

Another said: “Elanga becomes 2012 Messi.”

A third compared him to Liverpool’s leading man, writing: “Elanga wtf!! That was Salah’s standard.”

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Anthony Elanga of Manchester United dribbling the ball during a soccer match.
Elanga spent 11 years at Man Utd but was sold by Erik ten Hag in 2023

However, some supporters were frustrated with Elanga’s celebration, pointing to the way he was treated by United, as he was shoved out the Old Trafford exit in 2023.

One pointed out: “Elanga celebrate man the deserve the rudest celebration for the way they treated you.”

But another countered: “Elanga that was some cold celebration.”

Another summarised: “Fair play to Elanga though. Outstanding goal and a very muted celebration. Showing his respect and class.”

After the game, Elanga told TNT Sports: “It is about attacking the space and getting to the opposite goal as quick as I can. I saw the space and I believe I’m one of the fastest players in the league.

“The finish is something I have been trying to work on. Left foot or right foot, I am quite comfortable with both feet this season.

“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.”

Many Man Utd fans were left frustrated by their club’s treatment of the 21-cap international winger.

Elanga had shown great promise and had forced his way into the first-team, making 37 Premier League appearances in his final two seasons.

Yet, despite showing huge potential, Erik ten Hag sold him to Forest for just £15million.

Elanga has gone on to become a key cog in Champions League-chasing Forest’s XI, as well as Sweden, despite their wealth of attacking talent including Alexander Isak and Dejan Kulusevski.

The winger now has six goals and eight assists this season, with his new side third in the table and United enduring a miserable campaign, currently 13th.