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Five best Man Utd academy products after Anthony Elanga’s heroics including George Best and three Class of 92 stars

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ACADEMY product Anthony Elanga saved Manchester United from a first leg defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

The second-half substitute fired low past Jan Oblak in the 80th minute to cancel out Joao Felix’s early opener.

Elanga beat Oblak with a well placed shotCredit: GETTY
The teenager scored for the second game in a rowCredit: GETTY

Elanga’s second half strike sends the two sides level heading into the second leg at Old Trafford with a place in the quarter-finals on the line.

The Swede’s goal also saw him net in back-to-back games having scored in the 4-2 Premier League win over rivals Leeds.

On his goal, Elanga said: “Think it was my first touch as well.

“I have dreamt of moments like this, scoring in the Champions League against top European teams like Atletico Madrid, a dream come true.”

Interim boss Ralf Rangnick hailed the academy graduate as a ‘role model’ and hopes other members in the squad play for United as if it is a ‘dream come true.’

Rangnick 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.”

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Elanga is the latest star to come through the ranks of Man Utd’s academy but who are the top five academy products?

1. Sir Bobby Charlton

Man Utd legend Charlton tops the list as United’s best ever academy graduate.

The former midfielder was also a survivor of the Munich air crash which took the lives of multiple players and members of staff in 1958.

Charlton went on to win multiple titles for the Red Devils and won the World Cup with England in 1966.

In the same year as the Three Lions’ only World Cup triumph to date, Charlton won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, beating Eusebio and Franz Beckenbauer.

Charlton leading out Man UtdCredit: PA

2. Ryan Giggs

Ryan Giggs was a part of the Class of ’92 that helped solidify United as one of the best teams in world football.

The Welshman had a long lasting career, making his debut in 1990 and he retired in 2014.

Giggs made 945 appearances for United, scoring 164 and assisting 250.

The winger won 13 Prem titles, four FA Cups, two Champions Leagues and three League Cups.

United also won nine Community Shields, one Super Cup and one Club World Cup with Giggs in the first-team.

Giggs made 945 appearances for the Red DevilsCredit: GETTY

3. George Best

Best was one of the most technically gifted footballers to pull on United’s famous red colours.

The Northern Irishman was a supreme dribbler, excellent finisher and fearless against the defenders in the 60s.

And with him spearheading the attack, United won two league titles and a European Cup.

On an individual level, Best won the Ballon d’Or in 1968.

Best won the Ballon d’Or in 1968Credit: GETTY

4. Paul Scholes

Like Giggs, Scholes was a part of the Class of 92′.

Scholes also happens to be one of the best midfielders to play for Man Utd.

He won 11 Prem titles, two Champions League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, five Community Shields, one Club World Cup and one Intercontinental Cup during his time at the club.

Scholes retired from professional football in 2011 – but he returned to play for United again in the 2012–2013 season amid a midfield injury crisis.

The midfielder won his last Prem titles with the club and retired again in May 2013.

Scholes won 11 Prem titles during his time at the clubCredit: GETTY

5. David Beckham

Becks was one of the finest midfielders of his generation.

He was – and arguably still is – one of the most marketable football figures in the world.

He graduated from the academy alongside the likes of Giggs and the Neville brothers.

‘Golden Balls’ won 13 major trophies with the Red Devils before moving on to play for Real Madrid after an altercation with legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Beckham left United in 2003 after an altercation with Sir Alex FergusonCredit: GETTY

⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

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