Manchester United attacker Anthony Elanga has recalled first moving to England from Sweden.
Elanga, 19, has a past with IF Elfsborg and Malmö FF. But in 2014, the family moved to England. The young Swede revealed he had to work his way up through the levels before getting his chance with United.
He told Viaplay via Fotboll Transfers: "The day my mother writes a book or makes a documentary, she will tell everything. We did not know anyone and it was difficult with the language. But if it had not happened, I would not be standing here today.
"I am very grateful."
Indeed, when the offer came from United, Elanga admits his mother insisted he accept the proposal after the sacrifices they had made.
He continued: "I played with a local team in the beginning and then United's scouts were on site and saw me. After that, they came to my mother and wanted me to come for a test training. I trained for a week and a half and then they said they wanted to sign a contract. I could not say no and my mother said: 'you do not say no!'"
Elanga twice tasted Premier League action for United last season. The versatile attacker signed a new deal in March for an undisclosed length of time. Elanga's father is former Cameroon international footballer Joseph Elanga. Anthony was born in Malmo where his father was playing for Malmo FF.
The United winger is currently a Sweden U21 international. He has scored twice in two games for his country.
- updated September 21
