By Daily Sports Nigeria on February 24, 2022

A late goal from substitute Anthony Elanga rescues 1-1 draw for Manchester United at Atletico Madrid in their Champions League last-16 first-leg clash; Ralf Rangnick calls on his more senior players to use the example "role model" Elanga sets to improve their own displays

Ralf Rangnick has urged his Manchester United players to follow the example set by teenager Anthony Elanga after the substitute rescued a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Wednesday.

It was a draw United scarcely deserved in the Spanish capital as they again underwhelmed, but teenage substitute Elanga cancelled out Joao Felix's early bullet header to secure Rangnick's men what could prove to be an important draw.

The interim manager may, in truth, have been satisfied to leave Spain with a narrow first-leg loss given the fact his side floundered for much of the night.

Speaking to BT Sport afterwards, Rangnick didn't hide his emotions as he admitted some of the more senior members of his squad needed to demonstrate the same courage and urgency as Elanga, who celebrated just his third goal for the club.

The German said: "He is playing as though it is a dream come true, it is a joy and fun to watch him play, I wish a few other players would take him as an example and as a role model. Football is an important sport, even more so for the supporters, and it is a ball game. This is what I wish us to do especially in the second leg."

Speaking later in the press conference, Rangnick added: "Anthony, in all the games that he has played so far, just shows that he's playing with all the passion, all the fun and all the joy.

"He's just enjoying himself on the pitch and he's fully aware of his strengths, his assets, his weapons. He's always trying to play and show those weapons. This is what he did again today.

Source Sky Sports

Posted February 24, 2022

VAR Favouring Manchester United, Claims Lampard •Fears Repeat...

Siasia rues Suwon loss to Denmark

Belgium sack Coach Marc Wilmot

Dele Alampasu joins Eagles squad for Cameroon showdown...

Trump's misguided pressure on Nigeria and Africa to...

England vs. Nigeria: Rohr reveals Super Eagles team...