Manchester United’s board is feeling optimistic about their chances of securing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, despite competition from local rivals Manchester City. The Red Devils are looking to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season under manager Michael Carrick, having already completed a £35 million deal for Brazilian midfielder Ederson from Atalanta. However, Carrick is eager to add at least one more midfielder to compensate for the departures of Casemiro and potentially Manuel Ugarte this summer.
According to The Guardian, United believes they can hijack City’s pursuit of Anderson, who has been identified as a top target for the Cityzens. City had an initial £80 million bid for the England midfielder rejected by Nottingham Forest, but they are preparing a second offer. Meanwhile, Manchester United is confident that Anderson has not yet made a final decision on his future and can still be convinced to choose Old Trafford over the Etihad.
Anderson joined Nottingham Forest from Newcastle United in 2024 on a five-year contract. The 23-year-old has impressed with his performances, attracting interest from several top clubs. United’s hierarchy is now working hard to persuade him to make the switch to Manchester United, potentially beating their city rivals to a key signing.