Ronaldo spent 18 months at United before leaving for Al Nassr last season.
Elanga told The Times: "I've always been someone who wants to find that extra percentage to improve.
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"Having Ronaldo come in, I tried to take some chapters out of his book and try and form it into mine.
"There was a time when I missed a penalty against Middlesbrough and after that he kept speaking to me.
"He told me, 'It's not the end of the world, I've missed loads before and you've shown character and professionalism taking one at your age'.
"I took that on board and that's been really helpful."