Man Utd transfer regret emerges as Alejandro Garnacho sparks two major concerns

Former Manchester United assistant Rene Meulensteen has blasted the club's decision to sell Anthony Elanga to Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2023. United offloaded Elanga in a £15million deal two years ago, and the Swedish winger came back to haunt them on Tuesday night with his decisive goal in a 1-0 victory at the City Ground.

He covered over 80 metres with the ball at his feet and shrugged off a half-hearted challenge from Alejandro Garnacho before finishing past Andre Onana in the fifth minute. Forest fended off waves of toothless United attacks to hold onto the lead and cement their place in third in the Premier League. After full-time, the Red Devils' decision to cash in on Elanga was predictably at the forefront of discussion, especially due to the visitors' lack of attacking bite in contrast.

Garnacho endured a poor night as Forest completed the double over United for the first time since the 1991/92 season.

The 20-year-old Argentine often ran into trouble and ignored Patrick Dorgu's overlaps to blaze a wayward effort high and wide instead.

And while he is considered a high-potential player, having already made 132 appearances for United, the club's former assistant boss has never been convinced by his ability.

"I've never been sold on Alejandro Garnacho, to be fairly honest. I think there's a personality and character issue at times," Meulensteen told Poker Firma.

"Anthony Elanga, on the other hand, his performance last night is exactly what you want to expect from a Manchester United winger - strong, direct, powerful, full of confidence and taking players on."

Elanga scored four goals and provided four assists in 55 senior appearances after graduating from United's academy under Ralf Rangnick.

He has enjoyed an explosion of output since joining Forest, plundering 11 goals and 18 assists in 73 games, which has sparked criticism over his ex-club's decision to let him leave.

After the Forest defeat, Amorim played down those suggestions, reminding critics that Elanga left because he wasn't showing the same level as he is today.

But Meulensteen is among those baffled by his departure in 2023 and considers him one of multiple players who have improved after leaving Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson's old right-hand man envisages Elanga as an ideal United winger and has questioned Erik ten Hag's regime for sanctioning the move.

He added: "I always thought Elanga showed those glimpses when he was playing for Man United, but the club closed the door on him and his career has restarted at a different club.

"You really have to question the decision-making process to let players like him go because there's been a few who have slipped through the fingers."