Sky Sports pundit urges United to abandon pursuit of top midfield target, names better option

Manchester United are gearing up for a blockbuster summer, when they are expected to go all out to upgrade their midfield. The Red Devils were also linked with several candidates for the job this month, but refrained from splashing the cash in the middle of the campaign. There is a belief that caretaker manager Michael Carrick has enough resources to secure a top-four finish this season, having started his tenure with a bang. United have won all three Premier League games since the Englishman took charge last month, and are now fourth in the league table after 24 games. However, Casemiro’s impending departure has added more urgency to the Red Devils’ midfield reinforcement plans. The Brazilian, who has started every game under Carrick, has already announced that he will leave the club once his contract expires in less than five months. Among the players tipped to take the 33 year old’s place at Old Trafford is Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson. One of the Premier League’s best midfielders The English midfielder has been the lone shining light for the West Bridgford club of late. Forest are languishing in 17th place in the Premier League table after 24 games this season, six points head of the drop zone. Anderson has registered 1,570 passes in the league, the highest among all midfielders in the top tier of English football. The 23 year old is also the midfielder with the most successful short passes (1,272) this season, while only Granit Xhaka, Bruno Fernandes and Dominik Szoboszlai have managed more successful long passes than he has among midfielders in the league. The Englishman has been a dominant presence in the middle of the park for Forest, winning 194 duels, the most in the top tier of English football. His commanding presence in midfield makes him a fine option for United. Elliot Anderson Premier League Stats: 2025/26 Season StatValue Appearances24 Goals1 Assists2 Expected Goals (xG)1.89 Expected Assists (xA)2.29 Shots on Target (Inside Box)8 Shots on Target (Outside Box)6 Touches in Opposition Box39 Penalties (Scored)1 (1) Free Kicks (Scored)1 (1) Crosses (Completed %)47 (26%) Passes (Completed %)1,570 (86%) Long Passes (Completed %)143 (57%) Corners Taken71 Minutes Played2,160 Dribbles (Completed %)59 (56%) Duels Won194 Aerial Duels Won40 Total Tackles65 Interceptions29 Blocks10 Red Cards0 Yellow Cards4 Fouls34 Offsides1 Source: Premier League website. However, Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes the Red Devils should target another Premier League midfielder instead of the Forest star. Merson wants United to sign Adam Wharton Speaking on Sky Sports News, Merson said: “I’m not sure, I like Elliot Anderson, but I’m not wow-factored over him. I like Elliot Anderson, but they’re fourth bottom of the league, fifth bottom of the league, Forest, so they’re not dominating all midfields, are they?” “And if you’re a midfield player, that’s where the engine is. Do you know what I mean? I don’t see him running the show in midfield at Nottingham Forest, and we’re talking about Man Utd.” Merson went on to suggest that Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton would be a better option than Anderson for United, adding: “I would go for Wharton ahead of him.” Recent reports have suggested that Wharton is also on the Red Devils’ wish list ahead of the summer. Final Thoughts Merson’s assessment of Anderson feels a little unfair, especially since he has gone from strength to strength this season. The Forest midfielder is a warrior on the pitch, but also has an eye for a pass, making him a fantastic successor to Casemiro at the Theatre of Dreams. Featured image Dan Istidene 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 Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.