ANTHONY ELANGA is eligible to play for England but Sweden are confident the Red Devils winger will stick with them.
The FA are aware that Elanga, 19, who joined Manchester United’s academy at the age of 12, has lived in the UK long enough to represent the Three Lions.
Elanga, the son of former Cameroon defender Joseph Elanga, was born in Sweden, played for Swedish side Malmo at a very early age and has represented the country’s Under-21s eight times.
Not only has Elanga featured in eight games for United this season, he also started the last three matches.
And the 19-year-old scored in the crucial 3-1 away victory over Brentford.
On Elanga’s goal, boss Ralf Rangnick said: “He followed up on his performance at Villa Park. He was outstanding in the second half, a lot of work against the ball and a goal.”
Swedish senior manager Janne Andersson hoped to include him in a scheduled 24-man tour of Portugal this week.
But Old Trafford boss Rangnick blocked that last month.
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The training camp — which was not going to include established senior players — had to be scrapped by Sweden because of Covid issues in Portugal.
But the Swedes, who have a World Cup play-off semi-final against Czech Republic in March, do not believe Elanga is looking to switch and play for either England or Cameroon.
The English FA are not currently tracking the young star with a view to making a move for him.
ENGLAND could play both their home Nations League matches AWAY from Wembley.
The Three Lions face European champs Italy on June 11 before hosting Hungary three days later.
Gareth Southgate’s team take on the Italians behind closed doors due to the Uefa ban after trouble in the Euro 2020 final. So it seems certain that a smaller venue — which would cost less to run — will be used for that match.
FA bosses are also considering using a stadium, other than Wembley, for the second clash.
England entertain Switzerland and Ivory Coast at the Home of Football in March friendlies.
Rob to carry on camping
ITALY coach Roberto Mancini is this week holding a 35-man training camp.
You can imagine the outcry among Premier League clubs if Gareth Southgate decided to do the same.
But England boss Southgate never even considered getting his stars together in this international break, which is outside the Uefa window, so no competitive games are allowed.
Southgate felt that England’s players, who are only now getting some respite from the winter schedule, need time to relax.
Yet for Mancini, all eyes are on the World Cup play-off against Macedonia in March.
European champions Italy could potentially then have to beat Portugal, who play Turkey, in the decider.
Former Manchester City boss Mancini has also given Mario Balotelli, 31, his first call-up since 2018.
The striker is now in Turkey with Adana Demirspor — and has played just three times for Italy since the 2014 World Cup.
FIFA have so far received 2.3million ticket applications for the Qatar World Cup.
The top ten countries requesting tickets by residence are Qatar, Argentina, England, Mexico, USA, UAE, India, Germany, Brazil and Saudi Arabia.
BEN THATCHER was a no-nonsense defender but these days the 46-year-old is a football agent and has been involved in Roy Hodgson’s appointment at Watford — as well as the former England manager’s previous job at Crystal Palace.
⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk