Manchester United’s hopes of landing dream midfield target Elliot Anderson have been slapped with a major complication with Manchester City now poised to gatecrash the party and nick him from right under their noses.
The Nottingham Forest star is going to be the name on everyone’s lips this summer. And it looks increasingly likely he’ll be playing his football in Manchester next season. The only question is, which half of the city?
Anderson, 23, finds himself in that deliciously rare position of having both giants of the North West circling like sharks. United want him. City want him. And the lad can probably start browsing Rightmove for a gaff in Cheshire right now.
Not bad for a kid Newcastle let go for relative buttons.
The perfect fit for United
For United, Anderson ticks every single box. He’s the No.6 they’ve been crying out for since Casemiro’s legs started going. He offers defensive protection, yes, but also proper passing range and composure on the ball, the kind of player who doesn’t just break up play but actually starts attacks.
He wears the No.8 shirt at the City Ground but has been operating deeper for England, sitting alongside Declan Rice and allowing the Arsenal man to bomb forward. Imagine him doing the same with Kobbie Mainoo. Suddenly that midfield looks balanced. Looks young. Looks like it belongs in the Ineos era, Premier League proven, ideal age profile, no daft wages.
If Anderson gave the nod, United would move heaven and earth to make it happen. He’s top of their list. The dream target. The one.
Enter City
But here’s the spanner. A big, shiny, blue spanner.
City have been watching Anderson too. They’ve already signed Nico Gonzalez, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki in the last 18 months, but the midfield is about to get a shake up. Bernardo Silva is expected to leave this summer. And now, and this is the big one, Rodri’s future is suddenly looking very, very uncertain.
Rodri’s Real flirtation
The Spanish midfielder is starting to find his rhythm again after that horror knee injury. But while he’s been away on international duty, he’s been doing a bit of window shopping.
“You can’t turn down the best clubs in the world,” Rodri said when asked about Real Madrid. Not exactly a denial, is it?
He’s got one year left on his contract at the end of this season. One year. He’s said he “needs to sit down and talk with City” but also admitted he’d “like to come back” to Spain one day.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner is playing his cards close to his chest. But it’s starting to feel like he’s playing them towards the Bernabeu. Whether it’s this summer or next, the signs are pointing one way.
What it means for Anderson
If Rodri goes, City need a replacement. And Anderson fits the profile perfectly. He’s younger than Rodri. Cheaper than some of the alternatives. And already proven in the Premier League.
For United, that’s a nightmare. They’ve spent months convincing themselves Anderson is the man to rebuild their midfield around. Now they’ve got to fight the champions for his signature and City have got a Rodri shaped hole to fill.
Anderson will be focused on Forest’s relegation scrap for now. But come the summer, his phone won’t stop ringing. United will be on the line. City will be on the line. And somewhere in Cheshire, there’s a house with his name on it.
The only question is which side of Manchester he ends up on.
