Elliot Anderson: Man United must use Guardiola exit to beat City to Forest star
Elliot Anderson: Man United must use Guardiola exit to beat City to Forest star Manchester United are prepared to go toe-to-toe with Manchester City for Elliot Anderson this summer – and a major twist in the tale at the Etihad may have just opened the door for INEOS to push ahead in the red-hot race for the midfield maestro. “One of the best” England manager Thomas Tuchel believes Anderson , 23, has emerged as “one of the best midfielders” in the Premier League since joining Nottingham Forest in 2023. Described as an “elite player” by the 52-year-old German, Anderson is primed to play a pivotal role for the Three Lions alongside Arsenal powerhouse Declan Rice in midfield.
Crucially, he will start as the No. 6, with Rice operating as the No. 8 and Jude Bellingham or Morgan Rogers ahead of the pair in the No.
10 position – the exact set-up and role United envision for him at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are focusing on a revamp in midfield in INEOS’ third summer window at the helm, with the most pressing priority being the identification – and capture – of the heir to Casemiro , who is set to leave once his contract expires in June. Anderson, an all-action dynamo with the ability to thrive across every phase of play, is the leading candidate, though a number of alternatives – Sandro Tonali, Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Mateus Fernandes – are also under consideration.
United are ready to open formal negotiations with strike a deal for Anderson. But they are acutely aware of City’s interest in the Forest talisman, with the noisy neighbours viewing the Englishman as a long-term successor to Rodri. The Spain international, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2024, has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid as he approaches the final year of his contract.
Well-placed sources indicate the Citizens are frontrunners for Anderson’s signature, with noises emanating out of the blue half of Manchester suggesting confidence in fending off their rivals in the red half. But a key part of their sales pitch, and one Anderson is understood to be drawn to, is the chance to work under the best manager in world football in the 21st century not named Sir Alex Ferguson – and this week’s bombshell update confirms this will no longer be possible. Guardiola’s getaway Despite Guardiola’s contract at the Etihad having one more year remaining, the Spaniard is set to call time on his City tenure at the end of the season.
Continue to the original source for the full article.