According to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Manchester United are considering an ambitious summer deal to sign Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson after his performances this season.
The Red Devils have had a big upturn in form in recent weeks, with three consecutive wins under Ruben Amorim against Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton, and the mood around the club has improved considerably.
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£120 million
It is understood that the club are keen to strengthen their midfield position in 2026, and their interest in England international Anderson is very concrete, although it is likely to be in the summer rather than January.
Nottingham Forest are aware of the interest, but consider the 22-year-old a key player and value him at between £100 million and £120 million. There is also no expiry clause in his contract, but Man Utd are clearly planning a big signing in the position, while also being heavily linked with Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton.
Mainoo is probably done at Man Utd if Anderson arrives
Although a new central midfielder is among the top priorities at Old Trafford, most supporters expect the new player to replace either Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte in the squad due to their age and poor performances, respectively.
However, the arrival of a playmaker like Anderson will not be a direct replacement for either of these options, and it will likely mean the end of Kobbie Mainoo’s career at Manchester United.
Mainoo, who has also been described as “phenomenal” by Ben Foster, has struggled to play more regularly under Amorim in recent months, but has found himself far down the hierarchy, behind Casemiro, Ugarte and club captain Bruno Fernandes, while the manager also prefers Mason Mount for some games.
Both Anderson and Mainoo are stylistically quite similar players, and if Amorim feels it’s worth spending so much money on the former Newcastle player, it’s clear that he simply doesn’t see a place in his team for Mainoo.
United supporters will certainly not be happy with this, as the path from the youth department and the implementation of youth in the team is part of the clubs’ DNA, but if Amorim is still manager next summer, it would be reasonable to assume that he has had a good season as a manager and will have earned some goodwill.
In an ideal world, United would spend less money on Anderson and also find a way to get him into the team alongside Mainoo and/or Fernandes, but history and reality suggest that it will be one or the other.
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