Speculation concerning Manchester United’s interest in Nottingham Forest’s Elliott Anderson has been firmly put to bed with reports indicating that the transfer will not materialise this January. The Red Devils, who allocated much of their summer budget to securing attacking talent like Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko, have been criticised by fans for neglecting midfield reinforcements, a key area needing attention from last season.
Despite efforts from United’s recruitment team to secure players like Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, no agreements were reached. Elliott Anderson had been prominently linked with a switch to Old Trafford, but Alex Crook of talkSPORT has dismissed the prospect of a January move for the England international. Instead, he rates the possibility of loaning Gallagher as a more feasible option, should the player be available and eager to reclaim a spot in the England squad.
Crook further commented on the potential price tag if United were to pursue Anderson: “It’s not going to happen in January. It’s a big step up for Elliott Anderson, especially considering Nottingham Forest’s valuation of £35 million for him. While he’s a sterling player, there’s debate on whether he merits a £100 million valuation.”
Meanwhile, football pundit and ex-Chelsea and West Ham defender Scott Minto weighed in on Anderson’s current form, praising the midfielder as one of the best in the Premier League. He highlighted Anderson’s confident ball-handling and vision, asserting that he remains a pivotal asset for Forest despite their challenging circumstances this season. Minto drew parallels with renowned past players, noting Anderson’s ability to dictate the match tempo with apparent ease.
With Manchester United’s midfield strategy remaining in flux, it will be interesting to see whether a move for Gallagher materialises and how Elliott Anderson continues to develop and attract attention across the league.