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According to a report by TeamTalk on Thursday May 21, 2026, Manchester United’s co-owners, INEOS, have been encouraged to pursue a move for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson as part of plans to strengthen the squad ahead of the next season under manager Michael Carrick.
Carrick is expected to be confirmed as permanent manager after leading United to a top-five Premier League finish this campaign, and attention has now shifted to summer recruitment planning at Old Trafford under the new leadership structure.
United’s interest in Anderson is long-standing, with reports first linking the club to the England international in late 2025, and their pursuit has reportedly increased as they prepare for major midfield changes.
With Casemiro set to leave and Manuel Ugarte also likely to depart, United are planning to sign at least two central midfielders to rebuild their core ahead of a more competitive season across domestic and European competitions.
Nottingham Forest are believed to value Anderson at around £125 million, a figure that reflects his growing importance, although United remain among several top clubs monitoring his situation closely.
Pundit Dean Scoggins has backed Anderson as an ideal signing for United, highlighting his energy and influence in midfield while praising his performance against the club at Old Trafford.
He believes Anderson’s playing style would complement Bruno Fernandes, suggesting the pair could form a highly effective midfield partnership capable of improving United’s attacking rhythm significantly next season.
Scoggins also noted Anderson’s high involvement in matches, pointing to his 106 touches against United as evidence of his influence and consistency at Premier League level.
He added that United’s system under Carrick could suit Anderson better than Manchester City’s, potentially making Old Trafford a more attractive destination for the midfielder’s development.
The analyst further suggested that with Fernandes operating in a more advanced role and additional attacking reinforcements, United could realistically challenge for the Premier League title if they strengthen wisely this summer.
