Anthony Elanga’s balloon soared high on his dream night in the Champions League as the Manchester United teenage substitute grabbed a crucial equaliser at the Wanda Metropolitano in the 80th minute – United’s first shot on target – to snatch a 1-1 draw. Elanga had apparently been sent on by interim manager Ralf Rangnick to ‘scare’ the Spaniards and became United’s youngest ever scorer in the Champions League knockout stage.
‘It’s a dream come true,’ the 19-year-old Swede said.
‘I have dreamt of moments like this, scoring in the Champions League against top European teams like Atletico Madrid. I think it was my first touch too.
‘I told you how calm and cool I am. 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 want to be the best player on the pitch and I appreciate the boss. He said to me to make the defenders scared and run in behind and when I get the opportunity to take it.’
Displeased with his team’s performance, Rangnick vented his feelings at half-time, saying that United’s players should have taken after Elanga’s example and play with more unrestrained spirit.
‘I still cannot believe what we did in the first half,’ said the United boss. ‘We played without conviction and all the necessary aggression against the ball.
‘Obviously being 1-0 down after seven minutes, the plan was in the dustbin almost. Of course, I knew that this was not his best possible position.
‘He (Elanga) is playing as if for him a dream has come true. It is just joy and fun to watch him play, and I wish a few other players would take him as an example – almost a role model, I would say.
‘Not because he is doing everything right but he is just enjoying himself on the pitch.
‘I told them this is not enough, that we have to show more energy. We didn’t talk about tactics, it was about conviction and believing in what you are doing. This is what I told them.
‘It is the Champions League. The club fought so hard to get into the Champions League last season and you have to show yourself.’
Atletico claimed the draw was unjustified with scorer Joao Felix admitting the evening felt ‘bittersweet’.
Teammate Jose Maria Gimenez added: ‘We are a little bit hurt because we deserved to win.
‘They had a stroke of luck and they scored the equaliser. I don’t think they deserved a draw. We played a really good game, and the draw was a little unfair to be honest.’