“The game was personal for me because I wanted to prove that I’m capable of playing at a high level, I’m just grateful to Nottingham Forest for bringing me in”- Anthony Elanga speaks out after Forest win over Man United as he says he is grateful for club and Steve Cooper for signing him
Anthony Elanga discusses facing former club Manchester United while paying tribute to Steve Cooper, the man who took him to the City Ground from Old Trafford in the summer
Nottingham Forest forward Anthony Elanga had to put his emotions aside before a “personal” game against Manchester United.
Forest ran out 2-1 winners at the City Ground, with Nicolas Dominguez and Morgan Gibbs-White on the scoresheet. It was Elanga’s first game against United since joined Forest from the Red Devils for £15m last summer.
Elanga spoke after the match about his emotions and the personal nature of the fixture, while also sending a message to former Forest head coach Steve Cooper following his exit from the club this month.
He told NBC Sports: “Last season [at United] wasn’t easy for me because I’d play for five or ten minutes and then I wouldn’t play for ten games, I’d be in and out a lot.
“So this game was kind of personal for me because I wanted to prove that I’m capable of playing at a high level. I’m just grateful to Nottingham Forest for bringing me in, especially [former head coach] Steve Cooper, who has obviously left, and now Nuno and his staff, who have come in and done a tremendous job so far.
“Before the game I tried to put my emotions aside and just stay as professional as I could… and the assist to Morgan was special to me because that puts me now on double figures.
“To think that last year I didn’t score and now I’m on four goals and six assists, I just want to keep pushing and keep working hard.”
