Anthony Elanga could have joined Man City and almost left on loan but is now Manchester United’s saviour ‘living his dreams’ thanks to Ralf Rangnick intervention

Anthony Elanga... he's from Scandinavia, he's United's saviour.

Manchester United fans have a new star to rejoice over in the form of the 19-year-old Swedish winger, who scored a crucial goal in their Champions League last-16 clash at Atletico Madrid.

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With his weaker right foot, Elanga slid the ball past the highly-rated Jan Oblak as the Red Devils claimed a 1-1 draw going into the second leg at Old Trafford.

The Sweden youth international is becoming an increasingly important player at Man United, especially with the likes of Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford not having the best of seasons.

Elanga also netted during Man United's win over Leeds, the goal coming after being struck by an object from an end where Leeds fans were sat.

He's winning the respect of the Man United faithful too, who have created a brilliant chant in the teenager's honour.

However, it's likely Elanga wouldn't have scored at the Wanda Metropolitano had Ralf Rangnick not intervened.

Elanga struggled for game time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but watching YouTube videos of the player convinced interim head coach Rangnick to stop him going out on loan and involve him more.

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“I must say, from the very first day of my first training session, he showed up," said Rangnick.

“l had heard his name before and I was in my hotel room watching videos of him on YouTube and I thought 'this boy is really good'.

“He was almost on his way out on loan. I told him 'You will not go out on loan, you will stay here' and he has developed in training.”

Instead, it could have been noisy neighbours Manchester City singing that Elanga chant, having apparently had the chance to sign him.

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His former coach revealed Elanga trained with City before United got their hands on him when he moved to England in 2013.

"City showed interest at first and he had a few training sessions with them," Hattersley FC coach Ian Forder told The Sun.

"I had the Under-14s team then and I really shouldn't have played him – but I wasn't going to let him play for anyone else.

"Straight away I could tell he had something, he was outstanding.

"He picked the ball up in his own half, went past seven players, around the goalkeeper and side-footed it in. I turned to John [local businessman and friend] and said, 'Did you just see that?'

"One of the parents was a scout and he contacted United's chief scout, who looked at him. I think it was an 8-1 defeat but Anthony was outstanding."

Now, he is 'living the dream' at Old Trafford and tipped for a big future after arriving on the biggest stage club football can offer.

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And Rangnick hopes other young players, both inside and outside of Manchester United, will take notice and follow suit.

"I wish a few other players would take Elanga as a role model," said the boss, .

"He is simply living the dream. He was the player with the best training performance, and he'd already decided to leave on loan…

"I told him I want him to stay. He has a great approach, really."

Elanga has taken his opportunity with both hands, and said his goal against Atletico was a 'dream come true'.

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"I have dreamt of moments like this, scoring in the Champions League against top European teams like Atletico Madrid, a dream come true,2 said the youngster.

"Whenever I am given an opportunity I want to repay the manager and give 150 per cent every time I step onto the pitch. I just do what I can do, I want to be the best player on the pitch and I appreciate the boss."