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Manchester United are eyeing an ambitious summer move to sign Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson after his performances this season, according to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg. The Red Devils have enjoyed a big upturn in form in recent weeks, claiming three consecutive victories under Ruben Amorim against Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton, and feeling around the club has improved greatly. It's understood that the club are keen to strengthen their midfield position during 2026, and their interest in England international Anderson is very concrete, although likely for the summer rather than January. Nottingham Forest are aware of the interest but consider the 22-year-old to be a key player, and value him between £100-120m. There is no release clause in his contract either, but Man Utd are clearly planning a big money signing in the position amid strong links with Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton too. Mainoo Surely Done at Man Utd if Anderson Joins While a new central midfielder is among the top priorities at Old Trafford, most fans are anticipating the new arrival to displace Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte from the squad due to their age and poor performances, respectively. However, the arrival of a ball-playing playmaker like Anderson wouldn't be a straight swap for either of those options, and it would likely mean an end to the Man Utd career of Kobbie Mainoo instead. Mainoo, who has also been described as "phenomenal" by Ben Foster, has been battling to feature more regularly under Amorim in recent months but has found himself way down the pecking order, behind Casemiro, Ugarte and club captain Bruno Fernandes, while the manager also favours Mason Mount in certain games. Both Anderson and Mainoo are quite similar players stylistically, and if Amorim feels that spending that type of fee on the former Newcastle man then it's clear that he just doesn't see a place in his side for Mainoo. United fans would surely not be happy about this, with the academy pathway and implementation of youth into the team being in the DNA of the club, but if Amorim is still in charge next summer, then it would be fair to suggest that he would have had a good season as manager and will have earned some goodwill back. In an ideal world, the Reds would spend less on Anderson and also find a way to get him into the team alongside Mainoo and/or Fernandes, but history and reality suggest that it would be one or the other.
