Man Utd Can Complete Six-Year Transfer Mission With Elliot Anderson Deal

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better No. 6 in Manchester United‘s last 15 years than Michael Carrick, who hung up his boots six years ago after a glittering career. A forgotten man of Sir Alex Ferguson‘s dynasty at Old Trafford, the string-puller in midfield was one of the best… and it’s not unfair to say that United have failed to replace his qualities in the middle of the park.

Carrick’s enviable passing quality – irrespective of whether it was a simple ball to a partner in the engine room or a spray over the top to a marauding forward required – and his ability to control the tempo at his own pace are two key features that United have been devoid of since his final days in 2018.

And the need for a player of Carrick’s ilk is only heightened by the fact that Ruben Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag in November 2024 and has endured varying levels of success since, has a preference of setting up with a two-man partnership as the beating heart of his trusted 3-4-3 system.

The combination of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, two seasoned midfield maestros, are essentially nailed on as the Portuguese tactician’s typical choice in the middle, of course, but United could end their six-year hoodoo by finally signing a worthy replacement for Carrick in the mid-season transfer window. It’s been a long time coming and they will not be without fierce competition.

Man Utd Need to Complete Six-Year Transfer Mission By Signing Elliot Anderson

Finishing 15th in the Premier League last time out understandably clouds the fact that Amorim’s United managed to reach the Europa League final in 2024/25, one in which was lost 1-0 against fellow English outfit Tottenham Hotspur. From start to finish in 2024/25, though, an area that proved it was in dire need of improvement was their porous, and slightly beleaguered, midfield.

The summer was not used to paper over the midfield cracks, though, as the forward line was subject to a significant lick of paint – Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko were all signed.

Elliott Anderson of Nottingham Forest should be the next name through the Old Trafford doors, though, if United are to force their way into the top four come May 2026. Carlos Baleba of Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace youngster Adam Wharton are also on their radar, but Whitley Bay-born Anderson clears them both.

Described by Thomas Tuchel as “one of the best midfielders in the Premier League”, Anderson has all-but guaranteed himself a seat on the plane after England roared to 2026 World Cup qualification earlier this year, often with the Old Trafford transfer target next to the non-negotiable Declan Rice.

It’s been a whirlwind season at the City Ground, but Anderson has remained an important presence in the middle, notching a goal and assist apiece. He eats ground by dotting around the midfield confines with what looks like second nature, can spin out of pressure and his progressive passing is on another level.

He can also dictate the play through his high-volume passing, something that Fernandes has showcased throughout his six-year spell on the red half of Manchester… and those two together in the midfield would be a welcomed upgrade for the out-of-sorts Manuel Ugarte, who has often flattered to deceive.

United’s 2-2 draw with Forest earlier in the season was all about picking up three points, but it was a chance for Anderson to audition for a would-be buyer. Cool, calm, and able to absorb pressure, pick the right pass, and control proceedings without a slither of panic, Anderson was the best midfielder on the park.

Interestingly, both Anderson and Carrick – who won five Premier League titles and the solitary Champions League crown at Old Trafford – are products of Wallsend Boys Club’s academy ranks alongside the likes of Peter Beardsley, Alan Shearer, Alan Thompson, Michael Carrick and Fraser Forster. But will he become the latest Geordie to join United?

Although Anderson’s addition to an ever-growing squad could be Amorim’s answer to Ferguson’s hidden gem in Carrick, the young Englishman would actually be a replacement for Casemiro, whose future at Old Trafford is uncertain. Pop the metronomic Anderson into that position and move on should be the play.

Amorim and Co. Need to Fend off Premier League Pressure in Race for Anderson

The Athletic journalist David Ornstein has revealed that Amorim and his entourage have made their interest in the Nottingham Forest midfielder known ahead of a potential move – but the 13-time Premier League champions are not alone in their admiration of Anderson, who has played six times for Thomas Tuchel’s England. It also won’t be a straightforward deal to land.

Forest, who signed the 23-year-old from Newcastle United in the summer of 2024 as the Magpies reportedly needed to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), will want to pocket a hefty fee – potentially north of £100million as it was reported in mid-November – for his very capable services. The question is whether United can afford him.

There are other areas (back-up for Benjamin Sesko, a new centre-back for quality in depth and potentially Antoine Semenyo, who can operate anywhere on the left) that need to be sorted; but ironing out their most important issue by signing Anderson would be wise.

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Though Ornstein named Amorim’s United as being in the race for Anderson, he also claimed that Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Chelsea are also in the frame. Back in the day, during Ferguon’s reign of the club, United were the standout English club for players looking to move – but, as evidenced by Semenyo’s preference for City, that’s no longer the case.

In the eyes of Anderson, the beauty of a move to United – minor rivals of his boyhood club, Newcastle, which would come into his thought process – is the fact that he’s got a guaranteed starting spot with his name on it. Whether that would be the case with other potential suitors could be a risk he’s not willing to take, thus playing into the hands of Amorim.

All statistics per WhoScored – correct as of 24/12/2025