Manchester United's Late Push for Elliot Anderson as City Close In

Manchester United have no intention of letting Manchester City stroll unchallenged to Elliot Anderson. Not after landing Ederson. Not with their midfield about to be ripped up and rebuilt.

The plan at Old Trafford this summer is brutal in its simplicity: clear space, then buy big. Casemiro is on his way out as a free agent, with Inter Miami the likely destination. Manuel Ugarte has been transfer-listed. That leaves a hole through the middle of Erik ten Hag’s side that INEOS want filled by at least two, and possibly three, new central midfielders.

Ederson is first in line. United have already struck full agreement on personal terms with the Atalanta midfielder. The Brazil international, capped three times, has accepted a five-year deal and turned down other offers to push through his move to Old Trafford. United and Atalanta are now haggling over the final package, expected to land at around €45m (£38m).

That is the opening act. The next moves are designed to change the face of United’s midfield.

Carrick’s choice, INEOS’ obsession

Once Ederson is through the door, United intend to chase even higher-profile names. Michael Carrick’s preferred option is Sandro Tonali, the Newcastle midfielder whose range of passing and edge in the tackle appeal to a former United playmaker who knows exactly what that position demands.

But inside the club, the name at the very top of the INEOS wishlist is different: Elliot Anderson.

The Nottingham Forest midfielder has become a priority target, seen as a long-term pillar for a new-look engine room. The problem? City got there first.

Anderson, 23, has already agreed personal terms with the Premier League’s League Cup and FA Cup holders. He is said to be relishing the prospect of working under incoming head coach Enzo Maresca and is unshaken by the looming departure of Pep Guardiola. For a player at the start of his prime, the City project still looks irresistible.

Talks between City and Forest have raced forward. On May 27, insider Fraser Fletcher reported that negotiations were “rapidly advancing”, with sources expecting a deal could be in place before the end of the month. City have moved with their usual cold efficiency.

United are now trying to crash the party.

United’s late hijack attempt

Inside Old Trafford, Anderson is rated “ultra-highly”. That admiration has not faded even as City edged closer to the finish line.

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano recently revealed that United have been “calling and calling” about Anderson, refusing to step aside while their neighbours close in. Those calls are now turning into something more concrete.

According to the i paper, United are preparing what has been described as a “serious play” to hijack City’s move. Reporter Pete Hall summed up the situation starkly: insiders believe a deal with City is already well advanced and that Guardiola’s exit will not derail it, even as United ready their late push for the England international.

The pressure is obvious. Every day United hesitate, City’s grip tightens.

Race against the clock

If United are to turn this into a genuine all-Manchester tug-of-war, they must move now. Any delay, any misstep, and Anderson will walk through the doors at the Etihad with the paperwork already done.

Lose that race and United will be forced down alternative paths. The midfield shortlist drawn up under INEOS is long and ambitious. Carlos Baleba, Aurelien Tchouameni, Tonali and Adam Wharton are among the options under active consideration, with more names in reserve if those deals prove impossible.

Yet Anderson remains the one they do not want to watch in sky blue, dictating games for their fiercest rivals.

United have made their first big midfield move with Ederson. The next few weeks will reveal whether they can land the man they truly covet, or whether City’s planning leaves them staring across town at what might have been.