Transfer Centre

Erik ten Hag blocks Anthony Elanga loan exit?

By Ben Sully | 29 January 2023

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will reportedly reject any loan bids that may arrive for Anthony Elanga before the January transfer window closes.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has reportedly blocked a loan departure for Anthony Elanga.

The Sweden international has been heavily linked with a loan exit before the January transfer window shuts on Tuesday in a bid to increase his playing time.

Elanga has failed to score this season, but he has chipped in with two assists in his 19 competitive appearances.

However, he has only started seven games in all competitions in the 2022-23 campaign, as he competes with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho for a place in the starting lineup.

Although he has been an unused substitute in United's last three Premier League games, he did feature for the final 17 minutes in Saturday's 3-1 FA Cup victory over Reading.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag pictured before the match on January 18, 2023 © Reuters

According to the Daily Mail, Ten Hag is set to block any prospect of a loan departure before the transfer deadline.

The report claims that the United boss is reluctant to let players leave on short-term deals, and with the Red Devils competing in four competitions, Ten Hag wants to have enough depth to cope with the busy schedule.

Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven are keen to take Elanga on loan for the rest of the season, as they look to strengthen their forward line after they sold Cody Gakpo to United's Premier League rivals Liverpool earlier this month.

PSV head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has made contact with his former club about a possible deal, while Borussia Dortmund and Everton have also shown an interest.

Anthony Elanga celebrates scoring for Manchester United on February 23, 2022 © Reuters

However, those three clubs are expected to fail in any pursuit to sign Elanga this month, with United keen to keep hold of their academy product.

The winger, who is under contract until June 2026, has scored four goals and provided four assists in 48 appearances.

United are also expected to block a loan exit for Facundo Pellistri, but they could allow Zidane Iqbal and Brandon Williams to leave on a temporary basis.

Elanga could be involved when Manchester United face Nottingham Forest in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final after cruising to a 3-0 victory at the City Ground last week.