Former player Quinton Fortune believes Erik ten Hag can significantly improve several young stars at the club.
Ten Hag is set to take over the reins at Old Trafford at the end of the season and there is much speculation as to which Red Devils players are in his plans.
The boss is renowned for his work with young players, helping the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong and current United midfielder blossom into full Netherlands internationals.
It is hoped that Ten Hag can have a similar impact on United’s current crop of promising young players, and Fortune has named three who he thinks the Dutchman can get the best out of.
‘I’m expecting Anthony Elanga to kick on next season,’ Fortune exclusively told Ladbrokes at the launch of their 5-A-Side Bet on Brighton v Manchester United.
‘He’s got unbelievable pace; there aren’t many in the league who can keep up with him when he gets going. He showed that against Brentford earlier this week, and that’s something I’d like to see more of looking ahead to next season.
‘He’s a great kid, he’s so humble, and for a coach I’d say he’s a perfect student. He always wants to do more, he always wants to learn, and he always wants to improve.
‘He’s like a sponge; he’ll take in all of the information you give him, and he deserves his opportunity in the first-team because he did so well in the under-23s and uner-18s.
‘I just think he’s going to get better and better because he’s got that mindset. He just wants to learn, and who better to learn from than the greatest ever: Cristiano Ronaldo.’
Elanga, 20, already has 25 appearances for United this season, registering five goal involvements, and the Swede is tipped to be a part of the side’s forward line for years to come.
Fortune, who spent seven years at Old Trafford, also picked out midfield duo James Garner and Hannibal Mejbri as youngsters who have caught the eye this season in different ways.
21-year-old Garner has been excellent on loan at Nottingham Forest over the last 18 months, aiding the Championship club in their promotion bid, while Mejbri, 19, has few senior appearances but heavily impressed Gary Neville following a spirited cameo against Liverpool in April.
‘Jimmy Garner, he’s had a great season in the Championship where he’s picked up a lot of experience playing at a high-level,’ Fortune added.
‘They’ve got the young Hannibal Mejbri, another extremely talented player. Those two can play a part in Man United’s first-team next season.
‘But of course, you still need to sign top, top players if you want to win trophies and qualify for the Champions League.’
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