Zlatan: We're proud Elanga comes from Sweden

Anthony Elanga has made a great start to his Manchester United career under Ralf Rangnick, with recent goals against Atletico Madrid and rivals Leeds United.

A former United striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has spoken about the United youngster ahead of their country playing against Czech Republic for a World Cup qualifier on Thursday. Following this one-legged play-off semi-final, Poland will be waiting for the final next Tuesday.

A great talent, we are proud and happy that he comes from Sweden. 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 happy, striving for more. It depends on him, how far he can develop.

Zlatan shared a Swedish dressing room with Anthony’s father over 20 years ago and, when Ibrahimovic was at United, Elanga discussed this with the legendary forward.

We had some lunch at the training facility in Manchester with the team. Then this little guy comes up to me: “you know my dad”. And I just help myself: “Elanga”.

Elanga has played eight games for Sweden’s U-21 side, scoring seven goals, but had the choice of a few international teams thanks to his parents’ heritage for senior international football. He opted to play for Sweden, the country where he was born, and was given his first call up last week.

I was born in Sweden, I spent 75 per cent of my life here and Sweden means a lot to me. Everyone knows that I could have represented Cameroon and England but, for me, it was always Sweden. It is a dream to represent Sweden at this level.