Ex-Manchester United team-mates Michael Owen and Rio Ferdinand are at loggerheads over the significance of teenage star Anthony Elanga to their former aspect.
Elanga, 19, got here off the bench to internet an important equaliser for United away at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night time, racing onto a move from Bruno Fernandes and slotting dwelling to seal a 1-1 draw within the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
The Swedish winger has impressed since being introduced into the aspect by Ralf Rangnick in latest months, registering three objectives in 14 appearances beneath the interim boss.
Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen disagree about Manchester United teenager Anthony Elanga
Nevertheless, regardless of his early success within the senior ranks, former United striker Owen would not consider Elanga is ‘particular’ sufficient to guide the membership again to main honours.
‘He’s made a distinction when he’s come on,’ Owen stated on BT Sport after the Atletico draw.
‘If I noticed him enjoying for every other crew I’d say, ‘yeah, this child’s obtained one thing and he’s going to be an excellent participant’.
‘However after I see them coming via Manchester United they must be particular, particular. They must be world class.
Elanga netted an important equaliser for United away at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night time
However Owen would not really feel the Swedish teen is ‘particular’ sufficient to guide United again to glory
Elanga won’t go on to grow to be a Ryan Giggs or Wayne Rooney at Outdated Trafford, says Owen
‘Is Elanga and gamers like that going to take you to the league title or win the Champions League? Are they like Ryan Giggs or Wayne Rooney coming via?
‘He’s a really, superb participant, but when I’m being brutally sincere, when you’re asking me what I consider him, I believe he’ll have a improbable profession, however he’ll do very, very properly to be a Ryan Giggs or a Wayne Rooney.
‘I do know that’s evaluating [Elanga to club legends], however that’s what Manchester United are. That’s what they’re aspiring to be, they had been they usually’ve obtained to get again to that.
‘When you’ve not obtained that absolute freakish expertise, you’re not likely going to be the best… we’ve simply spoken about Marcus Rashford – he’s an exceptional participant – he’s obtained to seek out one other stage. As a result of on the minute they’re not enjoying like they’re going to win the Champions League or the league.’
Ferdinand, nonetheless, insists evaluating Elanga to Rooney or Giggs is unfair on the participant
However Ferdinand would not agree along with his previous United colleague, insisting Elanga has introduced a ‘fearlessness’ that’s missing within the aspect proper now.
‘What he [Elanga] brings is an vitality, a want, fearlessness,’ the Crimson Devils legend stated. ‘There’s not sufficient on this Man United crew at instances.
‘I believe to anticipate to have a younger participant come via like a Rooney or a Ryan Giggs is blue-sky pondering, that’s like generational-type stuff.
‘I believe Man United aren’t in that place now. They want sound characters, sound folks, sincere, hard-working gamers who you possibly can construct round.’
Source: Each day Mail