Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 3:09 PM• Noel Korteweg • Last update: 15:15

Anthony Elanga tries to understand Cristiano Ronaldo’s statements. The 37-year-old Portuguese said earlier this week in the much-discussed interview with Piers Morgan that “young players live in a different era, their hunger is gone and they can get everything easily these days.” Elanga does not recognize herself in that.

The twenty-year-old Swede made his breakthrough at Manchester United last season after the arrival of interim manager Ralf Rangnick. Elanga made 27 appearances the Red Devils, in which he scored three times and provided two assists. The winger talks to the Swedish aftonbladet indicated that Ronaldo was not necessarily talking about him. “He appeals to young players in general, not necessarily to me. I am always 100 percent focused on everything I do.”

Ronaldo said in the relevant interview that he is usually the first at the club and the last to leave. Sometimes other players follow his example, but that doesn’t happen often. “There are a lot of phones and there are distractions from technology,” says Elanga. “It is easy for young players to get distracted or lose focus. I just focus 100 percent on my work and my development as a player.” Young players and talents at the club look up to Ronaldo, says the Swede.

“Young players at United listen to him. It’s quite difficult: everyone has their own phone and I have friends in both Manchester and Sweden. I want to keep them informed. What exactly does Ronaldo mean? I do not know. Hopefully I will find out his truth.” Elanga is unlikely to see the five-time Ballon d’Or winner again at Carrington after the World Cup. United are reportedly trying to sue Ronaldo for breach of contract and have told the Portuguese not to return.