Man United is rapidly returning to the shape of a big team. This season, they have had a clearer framework with Senne Lammens bringing peace of mind in goal. The two new recruits Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha bring speed, the ability to create breakthroughs and finish at a high level. Meanwhile, the ability to score late against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Liverpool showed that the "Red Devils" have found their again".
However, to be able to compete again in the Champions League and Premier League, Man United still lacks a classy, stable and long-term central midfielder. Currently, Ruben Amorim is rotating the squad by letting Bruno Fernandes play alongside Casemiro, but this is just a temporary solution. Bruno has turned 31, and is still rumored to be in Saudi Arabia, while Casemiro is also preparing to celebrate his 34th birthday and his contract is also about to expire.
The Old Trafford team cannot continue to build a future based on two names with only a few peak seasons left. When considering long-term goals, Elliot Anderson is the type of player Man United needs most with youthfulness, comprehensiveness, energy and is currently becoming a pillar of the England team.
Elliot Anderson is the biggest motivation for Nottingham Forest's excellent journey in the 2024-2025 season, when they finished in 7th place and almost qualified for the Champions League. Although Nottingham has been in turmoil this season due to continuous changes, Anderson has still played outstandingly, even surpassing many other midfielders in the Premier League in terms of parameters.
According to FBREF, Anderson ranked first in a series of statistics such as the number of successful passes, the number of progressive passes, passes to the opponent's 1/3, the pass distance and the pass distance.
The 23-year-old star is also the midfielder with the most touches and recoveries in the Premier League. These figures show Anderson's influence in the way Nottingham attack, deploy and control the game.
Notably, in the statistics of progressive long-distance passes, Anderson far surpasses experts such as Bruno Fernandes, Granit Xhaka or Declan Rice.
In the opening match of the season, Anderson assisted Chris Wood with a pass from his own half. In the England national team, he continues to prove his class with the ability to hold the ball, escape pressing, develop the ball and always maintain calmness.
In the match against Serbia in September, no one drove the ball past Anderson. In the following confrontation with Latvia, he made 121 passes, the most in an away match for England since 2008.
Not stopping at individual qualities, Elliot Anderson plays well in all systems such as Nuno Santo's direct counter-attacking squad, Ange Postecoglou's controlling attack philosophy and currently Sean Dyche's tight playing style at Nottingham.
The star born in 2002 has been used in all roles such as "number 6", "number 8", "number 10" and has always completed her tasks excellently.
These have causedison's market value to skyrocket. Nottingham bought him from Newcastle for £35 million but now want £100120 million, equal to the level of Rice and Caicedo were once valued.
Man United's possible signing of Anderson is reminiscent of the Roy Keane deal in 1993, when the team broke records to bring a "warrior" from Nottingham Forest to Old Trafford. Keane has since become a mainstay and a true leader of the club.
Anderson could have the same effect as replacing Casemiro as a number 6, inheriting Bruno Fernandes captaincy from 2027, becoming the core to building a long-term style of play, eventually maintaining the intensity and fighting spirit Ruben Amorim pursues.
In the context of Man United cleaning up the dressing room after problems with Rashford, Garnacho or Sancho, a strong, professional and aspirational personality like Anderson is an invaluable asset.
£100 million is a big number but it is not a waste if weather conditions can have the same impact as Declan Rice has on Arsenal. When Ruben Amorim publicly praised Anderson at the end of October, many people believed that this was not a social statement, it was a real concern.
The "Red Devils" are on the right track with new contracts last summer. However, to complete the reconstruction, they need a central midfielder who can become a mainstay in the next 57 years. In the context of European football taking the throne with flexible, comprehensive midfielders who can control the game, Elliot Anderson is the number one priority.
