Manchester United are ready to prioritise a move to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson in the summer transfer window, and they could be ready to pay £80m, according to BBC reporter Sami Mokbel.
The Red Devils have been heavily linked with signing multiple midfielders ahead of the summer transfer window, with a host of names reportedly on their shortlist.
Their need for a new midfielder increased when Brazilian international Casemiro confirmed that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season following the expiration of his contract.
Despite some difficult periods at Old Trafford, the 34-year-old has enjoyed an impressive season under both Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick, and he will be a huge miss that desperately needs replacing.
Man Utd Ready to Prioritise Elliot Anderson Move
According to a report from the BBC, Nottingham Forest midfielder is considered the one player United should prioritise in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Despite that, their rivals Manchester City are considered the frontrunners for his signature, but that doesn’t mean United will abandon their interest in the England international, who was recently called up to Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
It’s claimed that Anderson, who has been described as ‘elite’ by Thomas Tuchel, would likely cost at least £80m, but United accept that they will be forced to fork out a fee in that region to secure one of their main targets for the summer transfer window.
United are prepared to go all out to try and secure the Forest midfielder’s signature this summer, despite the interest from their rivals Man City.
United Could Sign Two Midfielders
If a player like Anderson does arrive through the door in the summer transfer window, they will likely just be a direct replacement for Casemiro.
There’s an argument to suggest that United need an extra body in the middle of the park, and signing Anderson won’t be enough if they are going to be competing in European competitions next season.
The Red Devils struggled with numbers at times in the middle of the park this season, and that was without being involved in Europe.
The Manchester club have a strong chance of qualifying for the Champions League, or at least the Europa League, so two new midfielders might be in their plans this summer.
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Would Anderson Suit Man Utd?
GIVEMESPORT asked ChatGPT whether Anderson would suit Manchester United and Michael Carrick’s system.
Yes — Elliot Anderson could suit Manchester United under Michael Carrick, with clear caveats:
Creative balance: Anderson brings incisive dribbling and creativity from deeper or half-spaces, adding unpredictability to United’s build-up.
Press resilience: His technical quality helps progress possession under pressure—a trait Carrick values given his playing philosophy.
Physical/tempo fit: United often demand high work-rate and transitional intensity; Anderson would need to adapt to more direct, vertical phases and quicker tempo shifts.
Tactical role: Best suited as an advanced No. 8/10 in possession-oriented setups rather than a pure box-to-box.
Overall: Good fit in a progressive, possession-centric system, provided defensive duties and tempo intensity improve.