COMMENT: Energy. Humility. And a little bit of intensity. It can get a player far in this game. With his manager. As with his teammates. You need only ask Anthony Elanga for proof of that...

It was heralded upon Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival. This would be gamechanger for the academy. An example to follow. To mirror. The way he worked. The way he lived. Those youngsters coming through the system and with aspirations of making it as a Manchester United player would have no better role-model up close than the Ballon d'Or.

But for this column, the better example. The more relatable. The more practical. It has to be Elanga. If any of his peers wanted to know how to work their way into United's first team plans, they need only look to their former teammate and how he's gone about things these past 18 months.

During his two stints as academy manager at Newcastle United, Peter Beardsley would famously ease the nerves of any young debutant with the simple orders: "Just get out there and run about a bit...".

But there was meaning behind those words: Don't sit back. Throw yourself in. Chance your arm. And they were words that Beardsley didn't conjure up himself, it was the same advice he received during his playing career. From Bob Moncur to Arthur Cox through to Bobby Robson with England, they all knew how Beardsley played. There wasn't any great need for specific instructions. He was just a Geordie blur of energy and intensity. Basically, just get out there and run about.

Which is exactly what we see from Elanga today. Indeed, we've highlighted in past columns the stark difference Elanga has shown when introduced this season. Easing himself into the game. Getting a grasp of the match rhythm. That's not for this 19 year-old. Everytime he's on the pitch. Whether it be as a starter or off the bench. He's played with an energy and enthusiasm that has offered a clear point of difference to many of his senior teammates. It's made him popular with the Stretford End. It's had the exes falling over themselves to highlight him. But this is more than your typical youthful exuberance. This is Anthony Elanga. This is how he plays.

Is it too soon to draw a comparison with Beardsley? Well, not for this column. At least not the Beardsley of Newcastle. Of the one Kenny Dalglish signed for Liverpool. Aggressive. Brave. With a trick or two. Elanga does play like a young Peter Beardsley. But it's that on-pitch intensity which really enforces the comparison.

Peter Beardsley in action for Newcastle at The Dell in 1985

And it's with that intensity that Elanga approaches everything connected to his career.

"He is a nice guy who works hard and is really humble," so says senior teammate Bruno Fernandes. "I think he deserves everything that happens to him. In addition to his achievements, he trains hard. Since last season when he joined the first team, he has trained really hard and is, as I said, very, very humble. He has a bright future ahead of him."

A mentor, even a champion of his, Fernandes' support is significant. A genuine leader within this United squad, Fernandes doesn't suffer fools. Like Ronaldo, he's there to help. To advise. But he'll only do so for those willing to listen. And when a young teammate does, Fernandes is all in.

After scoring in their 2-2 draw at Aston Villa a fortnight ago, Fernandes again was eager to highlight his junior teammate's contribution: “I said to him my goal started from his header. That seems nothing but it's a really important moment in the game. We're really happy for him because he deserves this chance."

Again, Fernandes doesn't talk about every academy player like this. But for the Swede, he's gone out of his way to do so. There's a lesson there for those Elanga has left behind in the academy. An example to follow.

It's worth highlighting the success of Largie Ramazani this season. He has been pulling up trees in Spain. Not as a United player. But with Almeria, in Spain's Segunda Division. Now in his second season, Ramazani is flying, six goals and an assist in 17 Liga games. The 20 year-old is showing everything coaching staff at Carrington were telling this column 18 months ago.

By rights, Ramazani should be where Elanga is today. Same type player. Same type of Beardo intensity. But with one failing (as this column has discussed) ... attitude.

It now appears the penny's dropped. But Ramazani had to leave United for that to happen.

In Elanga's case, no such intervention has been needed. With this current peak, there'll be troughs - it's inevitable. But for his former academy teammates, United's current No36 has written the book on how to make it at Old Trafford.

All it takes is energy. Humility. And when that chance comes, to simply 'run about a bit'. Ronaldo will always have an influence, but when it comes to this generation inside United's academy, they couldn't have a better role model than Anthony Elanga.