United’s pursuit of 23-yo midfield monster in peril as City launch £80m hijack, INEOS must strike first – report

Manchester United face a red-hot transfer battle with their bitter rivals for one of the Premier League’s most coveted players, Elliot Anderson. The Main Target at Old Trafford The Red Devils are prioritising an overhaul of Ruben Amorim’s midfield in next year, be it in the winter or summer windows. While a move for one of their high-profile targets, such as Anderson, will be difficult in January, the club are expected to invest the vast bulk of their summer budget in the centre of the pitch. The decision to stave off the midfield in favour of upgrading the forward line was one of the key decisions made by sporting director Jason Wilcox in July. Over £200 million was invested on a new attacking trident comprised of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, with just enough change left down the couch to secure Senne Lammens – the 23-year-old Belgian goalkeeper – on deadline day. An approach for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba was made earlier in the summer, with the Cameroon international signalling his desire to join United. Amorim is a huge fan of the 21-year-old dynamo, believing his skillset applies perfectly to the 3-4-2-1 system. But the Seagulls’ valuation – in the region of the £115m Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo – killed off any hope of a deal. No alternative was meaningfully explored, outside of a potential loan move for Atletico Madrid star Connor Gallagher late in the window. To neglect the midfield was a bold strategy, one which will define United’s success, or lack thereof, this season – and may just come to decide Amorim’s future at Old Trafford as well. But whether the Portuguese coach is still at the helm at the end of the season or not, United are set on targeting Anderson – the midfield maestro for Nottingham Forest and England – this summer, even ahead of Baleba, The Athletic reveals. There is also interest in Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, as the club looks to continue its principle of targeting players with Premier League pedigree in key positions on the pitch. But it’s Anderson who has emerged as the priority over his two domestic competitors, with the Forest midfielder impressing in United’s 2-2 draw with Sean Dyche’s side earlier this month. Elliot Anderson vs Manchester United Stats Minutes played90 Total shots2 Expected goals (xG)0.16 Shots off target1 Blocked shots1 Shots inside the box1 Shots outside the box1 Touches in opposition box3 Successful dribbles2/2 (100%) Touches84 Fouls suffered3 Accurate passes47/63 (75%) Expected assists (xA)0.13 Accurate passes in final third15/24 (63%) Accurate long passes5/10 (50%) Accurate crosses2/7 (29%) Duels14 Aerial duels won1/4 (25%) Ground duels won6/10 (60%) Tackles won1/1 (100%) Fouls committed2 Interceptions1 And that’s why the latest update from United’s local neighbour, four miles north of Old Trafford at the Etihad, will be such a blow to INEOS’s plans this summer. Man City Enter the Race The Daily Mail reports Man City have identified Anderson as “one of their top targets in 2026” with Pep Guardiola believed to be a “big fan” of the 23-year-old midfielder. The Citizens have dispatched scouts to the City Ground – Forest’s stadium – this season and they have delivered glowing reports on the England international, who already looks locked in to start for the Three Lions at the World Cup next summer, despite only making his senior debut in September. It’s constitutes a meteoric rise for Anderson – but one which has put England’s elite on red-alert over the prospect of signing the next elite Englishman, with Liverpool also said to be in the hunt. All three – United, City and Liverpool – are likely to be casting an envious eye at Declan Rice’s imperious performances at the heart of table topping Arsenal’s midfield this season, and rue not rivalling their rival for a player almost unrivalled in the Premier League. But Anderson is the next iteration of this, with the Forest talisman leading the division across a swathe of metrics, both offensive and defensive. There has not been a better midfielder in, or for, England this season, including the red half of north London. A price tag “in excess of £80m” is required to prise Anderson away from the City Ground according to the Daily Mail, but the overall fee is likely to be closer to £100m – a considerable outlay, and one which rules out a return to cash-strapped Newcastle, who have also registered interest. But just ask any senior executive at the Emirates whether the £105m fee shelved out for Rice two years ago was a wise investment. Their response will be as quick as it is emphatic. And it’s an answer that will be replicated by whichever team emerges triumphant in the race for Anderson this summer. United will be praying it is them – and not one of the club’s bitter rivals in the north west of England. Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.