Manchester United Target Elliot Anderson Amid City Interest

Manchester United have already landed one punch in the midfield market. Now they are lining up a swing at their biggest rivals.

With Casemiro heading out as a free agent – Inter Miami his most likely destination – and Manuel Ugarte available for transfer, United’s summer rebuild in the middle of the pitch is about to define their window. Two new central midfielders are the minimum. Three is on the table.

Ederson is the first piece. The Atalanta midfielder has agreed personal terms, shaking hands on a five-year deal and turning down other offers to push through his move to Old Trafford. United are locked in talks with Atalanta over a package expected to land at around €45m (£38m), and there is confidence that part of the business gets done.

That, though, is only the opening act.

INEOS set sights on Elliot Anderson

Once Ederson is through the door, United want a headline arrival. Michael Carrick’s preferred option is Sandro Tonali from Newcastle, but INEOS have fixed on a different name as their No 1 target: Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.

There is a major problem. Manchester City are already in the box seat.

The 23-year-old England international has agreed personal terms with the League Cup and FA Cup holders and, crucially, is excited by the prospect of working under incoming manager Enzo Maresca. The looming departure of Pep Guardiola has not cooled his enthusiasm for the move.

Talks between City and Forest have accelerated. As revealed by Fraser Fletcher on May 27, negotiations are well advanced and sources close to the deal expect an agreement could be wrapped up before the end of May. City have done the hard yards early, and Forest know they are holding a £100m asset in a market starved of high-end midfielders.

United refuse to walk away

United, though, are not prepared to watch a player they rate extremely highly cross the city without a fight.

Fabrizio Romano has already reported that United have been “calling and calling” about Anderson, refusing to let the trail go cold. Now, according to the i, those calls are turning into something more concrete.

Reporter Pete Hall writes that United are ready to make a “serious play” to hijack City’s move, even as insiders maintain that a deal with City is well down the line and will not be derailed by Guardiola’s exit. In other words, United are trying to crash a transfer that is close to the finishing line.

If they are going to pull it off, they have to move immediately. Delay, and the door slams shut.

Plan B if Anderson slips away

INEOS are not short of alternatives. Should Anderson complete his switch to the Etihad, United will pivot to a broader shortlist that underlines the scale of their midfield reset.

• Carlos Baleba
• Aurelien Tchouameni
• Tonali
• Adam Wharton

are among several names under active consideration as United search for a new core to sit behind and alongside their attacking talent. Each offers a different profile; none would come cheap.

For now, though, the battle lines are clear. City believe they are close to landing Anderson. United are preparing one last, aggressive attempt to change his destination.

The next call Anderson takes could decide not just his future, but the balance of power in Manchester’s midfield for years to come.