Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes fellow Swede Anthony Elanga has a bright 'future ahead of him' but insists the Manchester United star must 'strive for more', while Victor Lindelof says the 19-year-old must 'stay humble'
- Anthony Elanga broke into the Manchester United first XI under Ralf Rangnick
- He has scored three goals - in the Premier League and in the Champions League
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic has told Elanga to 'strive for more' and to continue to fight
- Victor Lindelof says Elanga will cope with the pressure of the international stage
- However he says his Manchester United team-mate must stay grounded to thrive
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has encouraged Anthony Elanga to 'strive for more' after breaking into the Manchester United first XI under Ralf Rangnick.
The 19-year-old forward has been a shining star in an otherwise disappointing season at Old Trafford - having scored three goals in 18 appearances for the Red Devils.
Elanga has also received his first international call-up for Sweden as Janne Andersson's side take on the Czech Republic in their crucial World Cup play-off.
![Anthony Elanga (above) broke into the Manchester United first XI under Ralf Rangnick](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/22/18/55667971-10640873-image-a-1_1647972898596.jpg)
Anthony Elanga (above) broke into the Manchester United first XI under Ralf Rangnick
Ibrahimovic - who played alongside Elanga's father Joseph at Malmo - said he was impressed with the 19-year-old's rise to stardom.
Speaking to SVT Sport, Ibrahimovic said: 'He's [Elanga] a great talent, we are proud and happy that he comes from Sweden. That he can represent Sweden now makes it even bigger.
'He has all the future ahead of him, and if he continues just as he has done, it looks positive. It's just fighting, never being content, striving for more. How much he can develop depends on him.'
Meanwhile, Elanga's Manchester United team-mate Victor Lindelof said he was certain that the 19-year-old could handle the pressure of playing on the international stage.
![Zlatan Ibrahimovic (above) has told Elanga to 'strive for more' and to continue to fight](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/22/18/55668051-10640873-image-a-2_1647972955669.jpg)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (above) has told Elanga to 'strive for more' and to continue to fight
![Elanga has scored three goals - in the Premier League and in the Champions League](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/22/18/55668105-10640873-image-a-4_1647973039566.jpg)
Elanga has scored three goals - in the Premier League and in the Champions League
However, he said Elanga must stay focus and grounded despite the recent hype to become a true star.
Lindelof said: 'I've spoken to him and said stay humble, keep working hard, and keep doing your thing.
'Keep your feet on the ground and work hard because even if you're young and you manage to come to this level, it's a great thing, but staying at this level is also hard because you need to really keep working hard.'
The teenager had not made an appearance for United this season until Ralf Rangnick replaced sacked boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on an interim basis back in December.
Rangnick, who is a huge admirer of Elanga, gave him the nod and since then he has scored three times - twice in the Premier League and once during the Champions League.
![Victor Lindelof says Elanga will cope with the pressure of the international stage but insists his Manchester United team-mate must continue to 'work hard' and 'stay humble'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/22/18/55668085-10640873-image-a-3_1647973013792.jpg)
Victor Lindelof says Elanga will cope with the pressure of the international stage but insists his Manchester United team-mate must continue to 'work hard' and 'stay humble'
Lindelof has been impressed with Elanga's impact and said he is excited to see what is to come of the youngster.
'He's a great talent, still very, very young but he's got some really, really great qualities as a player,' Lindelof told United Review.
'He's very fast with great technique and he's got an eye for goal. He's still very, very young so I think it's important to let him develop in his own time, but he's a great talent.
'Of course, I always try to help players and help team-mates if they need my help. That's the kind of person I am, I always want to help people, so of course I talk to him.
'He's from Sweden, so it makes sense that I speak to him as well. I'm also the captain of the national team so for me to do that just comes naturally.'
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