Everything has been going better for Manchester United in recent weeks. Certainly, the Red Devils cannot yet boast of having become contenders for the Premier League title again – as evidenced by the two draws against Nottingham Forest (2-2) then Tottenham (2-2) – but before that, they had had three promising victories (Sunderland, Liverpool, Brighton). Performances which today place them in an honest seventh place in the league, just four points behind their rival and runner-up Manchester City. To take a new step, it will undoubtedly be necessary to turn to the transfer market in order to ensure a brighter future than the tumultuous past that they seem to have finally left behind them. Like what they achieved last summer by recruiting Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, the Mancuniens could bet on another rising star of English football: Elliot Anderson.
The most expensive transfer in the history of the Red Devils?
In the British press, it is rumored that Manchester United has intensified its efforts to recruit the Englishman, who has established himself as one of the managers of Nottingham Forest since the start of the season. This Tuesday, The Sun indicates that the club would be ready to make an offer of around 115 million euros, which would make it the most expensive transfer in its history, surpassing the 105 million spent to snatch Paul Pogba from Juventus in 2016. Aged 23, Anderson is considered one of the most promising young talents in the Premier League and is said to have particularly attracted Ruben Amorim during the recent confrontation between Reds and Red Devils.
“He’s a very good player”had confided the Portuguese technician to the press, not hiding his admiration even before the meeting. An impression confirmed after Anderson’s performance, impressive with his mastery, his energy and his maturity, all qualities which are lacking in the Mancunian environment today. His coach at Forest, Sean Dyche, also praised his player’s performance while emphasizing that he still had room for improvement: “He’s still learning the basics of his position, but he’s a very good player. He handles the ball well, he has great technique and a very good attitude… even if he complains a little! He quickly learns what the Premier League is. »
Man United will have to sell before they can dream of Anderson
An attractive profile, therefore, for the one who could become the logical successor to Casemiro, currently indispensable in the Mancunian midfield. Under contract until 2026, the 33-year-old Brazilian is expected to leave the free club next summer. Another pillar, Bruno Fernandes has suggested that he will make a decision after the World Cup, while Kobbie Mainoo, once seen as the future of United, is struggling to convince his new coach. Anderson, a choice fully approved by Ruben Amorim, would thus become the new key man in a sector in full reconstruction.
If the player would undoubtedly be an added value for the Manchester United squad, a “no brainer” as our English neighbors say, the price of this possible future transfer would force the club to complete a few sales before taking action, and several loaned players could thus be sold permanently. Performing at FC Barcelona with 6 goals and 9 assists in 16 matches, Marcus Rashford is most likely to be sold: the Catalan club has a purchase option of around 30 million euros after taking care of his annual salary. Rasmus Højlund, loaned to Naples where he scored 4 goals in 10 games, could bring in more than 43 million euros if the Italian club decides to keep him. Other players like Jadon Sancho, on loan at Aston Villa, and Andre Onana, currently at Trabzonspor, could be sold for around €23 million and €17 million respectively. In England, Elliot Anderson is sometimes compared to former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. Perhaps this time, history will be written at Old Trafford.
