Manchester United have not given up hope of signing Elliot Anderson ahead of their neighbours Manchester City this summer. Anderson has been United's top target for their midfield rebuild this season, enhancing his reputation further with performances that will likely guarantee him a place in Thomas Tuchel's England XI at the World Cup.
United's hopes of bringing him to Old Trafford have been hampered by City's interest. City's own engine room is in need of strengthening with Bernardo Silva moving on. The countdown is on for the World Cup, with a seven-day guide available for fans.
Anderson is said to favour a move to the blue half of Manchester, with the iPaper reporting a deal to sign him is 'well advanced' and Pep Guardiola's departure doing little to disrupt proceedings. However, the report adds United still intend to make a 'serious play' for the England star, who is valued at over £100m by Nottingham Forest.
With Casemiro set to leave Old Trafford when his contract expires this summer, United want to sign at least two new midfielders – possibly three if Manuel Ugarte also moves on. Club legends Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, and Paul Scholes have all named Anderson as the man who can be a long-term solution in the middle of the park.
'I see too many crabs playing central midfield,' Neville said. 'You can't have too many people who play five-yard passes back and sideways. You need to put players in there who are going to look forward and punch passes through the lines and have their head up. Elliot Anderson can do that. He can take set pieces. So for me, he would be an outstanding candidate to come here.'
Ferdinand said last month: 'Elliot Anderson, he seems to have jumped to the front of the queue. I think he's a wonderful player. I think Elliot Anderson is the right type not only of player but character, I think he'd be a good addition to the squad.'
United are exploring other options however and are close to a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta. The 26-year-old Brazilian, left out of Carlo Ancelotti's squad heading to the World Cup, has agreed personal terms over a £38 million move that could be finalised by the end of the week.
