Woodward Sold Man Utd’s ‘Big Disappointment’, Now He’s Outperforming Cunha

In the high-stakes arena of football transfers, decisions can define a club’s trajectory for years to come. For Manchester United, the legacy of former executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward’s transfer dealings continues to be a source of debate and reflection. While Woodward oversaw the arrivals of marquee names like Paul Pogba and Harry Maguire, his tenure was also marked by costly missteps, including the acquisitions of Alexis Sánchez and Ángel Di María.

However, amidst the extensive list of players who departed Old Trafford during his time, one sale, in particular, has begun to raise serious questions about the club’s long-term vision: Anthony Elanga. Once hailed as a shining product of United’s esteemed academy, Elanga found himself deemed a “big disappointment” by certain sections of the fanbase and within the club’s hierarchy. This perception led to his departure in 2023.

Yet, less than two seasons later, the Swedish international is not only a key figure but also a star performer at Nottingham Forest. Elanga’s contributions are now surpassing those of Wolves’ £44 million striker, Matheus Cunha, a player who was brought in to be a game-changer. This stark contrast raises a fundamental question: did Manchester United prematurely abandon a talent who was always destined for greater things?

This article delves into the circumstances surrounding Elanga’s departure from Manchester United, his subsequent rise at Nottingham Forest, and the compelling comparison with Matheus Cunha. It also examines the broader implications for Manchester United’s transfer strategy, particularly the decisions made under Ed Woodward’s leadership, and the lessons the club must learn as they move forward.

The Departure: A Promising Start, a Frustrating End

Anthony Elanga’s journey at Manchester United began with immense promise. Joining the club’s academy at the tender age of 12, he quickly established himself as a dynamic winger, characterized by his blistering pace, direct running style, and unwavering confidence. His rapid ascent through the youth ranks culminated in his senior debut under Ole Gunnar Solskjær in 2021.

Elanga’s early appearances for the first team offered glimpses of his undoubted potential. He displayed a knack for making impactful runs, a willingness to take on defenders, and an eye for goal. One standout moment was his crucial goal against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, a strike that showcased his composure and ability to perform on the biggest stage.

However, despite these flashes of brilliance, Elanga struggled to secure a consistent starting role at Old Trafford. The arrival of high-profile signings such as Antony and Jadon Sancho, coupled with the emergence of academy prodigy Alejandro Garnacho, significantly limited his opportunities. By the 2022–23 season, under the management of Erik ten Hag, Elanga found himself increasingly marginalized. He ended the campaign with a disappointing return of zero goals and a mere two assists in 26 appearances, with the majority of his game time coming as a substitute.

With limited playing time and a perception that he was surplus to requirements, Elanga was eventually sold to Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2023 for a transfer fee of approximately £15 million. At the time, this decision was widely viewed as a pragmatic move by many within the club and the fanbase. Even Ed Woodward, although transitioning away from his day-to-day role, reportedly endorsed the sale as part of a broader strategy to streamline the squad and reduce its size. Few could have predicted the transformation that awaited Elanga at his new club.

The Rise at Forest: A Player Reborn

Since arriving at Nottingham Forest, Anthony Elanga has undergone a remarkable transformation, blossoming into one of the team’s most potent attacking threats. Playing under managers who prioritize pace, width, and counter-attacking football, Elanga has discovered an environment that perfectly complements his natural abilities and playing style.

At Forest, Elanga has become a regular fixture in the starting lineup, consistently delivering impactful performances and making significant contributions in the final third. He has evolved into a more well-rounded winger, demonstrating a greater understanding of the game and a maturity that was not always evident during his time at Manchester United.

In the 2024/25 season, Elanga’s statistics speak volumes about his resurgence:

• He has recorded an impressive 8 goals and 9 assists in all competitions (as of May).
• He has been directly involved in a staggering 40% of Nottingham Forest’s goals in the Premier League.
• He has delivered match-winning displays against formidable opponents, including Chelsea, Everton, and Aston Villa.

However, Elanga’s impact extends far beyond mere numbers. He has demonstrated a noticeable improvement in several key areas of his game. He now tracks back with greater diligence, contributing effectively to the team’s defensive efforts. His timing of runs has become more precise, allowing him to exploit spaces and create scoring opportunities with greater efficiency. Crucially, he has exhibited far greater composure and decisiveness in the final third, traits that were often lacking during his final days at Manchester United.

The Cunha Comparison: A Stark Contrast

The contrasting fortunes of Anthony Elanga and Matheus Cunha provide a compelling case study in player development, transfer strategy, and the assessment of potential. Matheus Cunha, a Brazilian forward, was signed permanently by Wolverhampton Wanderers from Atlético Madrid for a substantial fee of £44 million.

At the time of his arrival, Cunha was heralded as the player who would spearhead Wolves’ attack and fill the void left by the departure of Raúl Jiménez. However, while Cunha has displayed flashes of undoubted quality, his time at Wolves has been marred by inconsistency and injuries. His contributions in the Premier League this season have been limited to just 6 goals and 5 assists, a tally that has now been surpassed by Elanga.

The comparison between the two players is striking:

• Anthony Elanga: 8 goals, 9 assists (Playing for a team fighting relegation)
• Matheus Cunha: 6 goals, 5 assists (Playing for a more established Premier League side)

Despite playing for a team with fewer attacking resources and facing the challenges of a relegation battle, Elanga has proven to be more efficient, more decisive, and more consistent than Cunha. Moreover, he cost approximately one-third of the price.

This stark contrast has ignited debate and raised critical questions about scouting, player development, and the methods Premier League clubs employ to assess potential. Why would a club invest £44 million in a striker with a limited track record of consistent top-flight performance when a young, Premier League-proven winger was available for a fraction of the cost?

Manchester United’s Regret?

In hindsight, Manchester United’s decision to sell Anthony Elanga now appears to have been premature. While the club undoubtedly needed to streamline its bloated squad and create opportunities for emerging talents like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, the sale of Elanga has left a noticeable void in their attacking options.

Injuries and dips in form for players such as Jadon Sancho and Antony have left United scrambling for consistent performances and reliable options in wide areas. Furthermore, with Marcus Rashford enduring a turbulent 2024/25 season and loan signings failing to deliver the desired impact, the presence of a player like Elanga – hungry, in form, and now experienced in the Premier League – could have provided Erik ten Hag or his successor, Ruben Amorim, with a valuable squad option.

Rio Ferdinand, a Manchester United legend, recently hinted at this missed opportunity on his podcast, stating: “Elanga’s tearing it up at Forest. You’ve got to ask – why didn’t he get the chance to do that at United? It’s about timing and confidence. He’s got both now.”

A Reflection on Woodward’s Transfer Legacy

Elanga’s resurgence also casts a wider spotlight on the transfer strategy – or perceived lack thereof – that characterized Ed Woodward’s tenure at Manchester United. During his time as executive vice-chairman, Woodward oversaw the expenditure of hundreds of millions of pounds on high-profile signings, often without a clear and coherent footballing vision.

The club frequently allowed talented academy products to leave the club, often without being properly integrated into the first team or given sufficient opportunities to develop and flourish. This approach prioritized short-term solutions and marquee signings over the long-term development of homegrown talent.

In retrospect, the handling of players like James Garner, Angel Gomes, and now Anthony Elanga, highlights a recurring pattern of undervaluing the potential of homegrown assets in pursuit of quick fixes and commercial appeal. While some of these sales may have been justified on a case-by-case basis, Elanga’s case adds to a growing list of talented individuals who have thrived after departing the confines of Carrington.

Conclusion: Elanga’s Redemption, United’s Reflection

Anthony Elanga may have been perceived as a “big disappointment” during his final days at Manchester United, but his stellar performances at Nottingham Forest serve as a powerful rebuttal to that assessment. Now outperforming players like Matheus Cunha – who commanded a transfer fee nearly triple his own and plays for a more established Premier League side – Elanga is proving that sometimes, all a player needs is time, the right system, and the unwavering trust of a manager.

For Manchester United, Elanga’s rise should serve as a catalyst for introspection and a critical re-evaluation of their transfer and player development strategies. As the club embarks on a new era under the leadership of INEOS and Ruben Amorim, the Elanga lesson is both simple and profound: don’t give up too soon on your own talent.

Sometimes, the solution to a club’s problems does not lie in a blockbuster signing or a multi-million-pound acquisition. Sometimes, the answer is already within the squad – a player waiting to be given the opportunity to shine, to be trusted, and to be nurtured. The story of Anthony Elanga is a powerful reminder of this fundamental truth.