Why Manchester United must make Elliot Anderson their priority signing

Photo: Nottingham Forest

Ruben Amorim's time as Manchester United manager has been turbulent to say the least, with the team still struggling to control games, particularly in midfield.

Far too often, matches are being played at a chaotic speed, with United being easy to play through and unable to dictate tempo. In fact, Amorim's side has been particularly solid when the necessity was to dig deep and counter quickly, rather than looking to break teams down.

Despite endless transfer links, few midfield targets genuinely address that issue. One who does is Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson.

At just 23, Anderson has emerged as one of the standout Premier League midfielders in recent months, being press-resistant, aggressive off the ball, and also comfortable when progressing play under pressure. More importantly, he brings balance - something United's midfield has been missing for years - to a relatively underperforming Forest side.

In a squad desperate for structure and energy, Anderson represents a long-term solution rather than another short-term gamble. This is why United should make him their priority signing over the coming transfer windows, even while considering cheaper alternatives.

So why should Manchester United prioritise Elliot Anderson?

1) A Premier League-proven midfielder - not a project

Anderson has not just acclimatised to the top flight, he has excelled in it. His passing volume ranks among some of the best midfielders in the league, with him having a very high successful short pass and long pass rate.

Right now, United's midfield often lacks any form of control, with Amorim's side relying on a 33-year-old Casemiro to control the tempo, when he does not have it in him to finish a whole game.

Anderson has proven to be vital for Forest in terms of tackles, interceptions and duels won, covering plenty of ground in the process. This could make him perfect for Amorim's fluid 3-4-3 or the newly-implemented 4-2-3-1.

Photo: Squawka

He is also great at progressing the ball and retaining possession, while also being very press resistant. In fact, when compared to United's midfielders, Anderson ranks first in forward passes, averaging 23 per 90 minutes, as well as ball recoveries, with 8.4 per 90 minutes (via Squawka).

This is precisely what United's midfield requires given the uncertain futures of Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo.

2) Ideal fit for Ruben Amorim's system

Ruben Amorim's ideal choice of midfielder is someone who is comfortable with the ball, aggressive in duels, capable of covering lots of ground, and is versatile enough to play both the No.6 and No.8 roles. This is especially vital given his tendency to utilise a two-man midfield.

Anderson checks all those boxes, with his mobility and willingness to defend and carry the ball forward making him a natural fit for Amorim's style.

3) England international

Anderson’s recent England call-ups underline that he is not just excelling at club level, but is also trusted on the international stage.

That experience matters. Playing for Manchester United brings relentless scrutiny, and Anderson has already shown he can handle pressure beyond the comfort of a mid-table environment.

4) Long-term value outweighing short-term struggles

Forest are reportedly set to demand an outrageous fee, possibly ranging from €100 million to €130 million, with the team likely reluctant to sell in January.

However, Anderson is still just 23 and under contract until 2029. For a club rebuilding the midfield, investing early in quality and longevity can eventually save money down the line compared to opting for short-term stopgaps or ageing veterans.

But what if United cannot sign Anderson? What are the cheaper alternatives?

It is no secret that United are not in the best financial position, and making such a massive signing in January is going to be particularly difficult.

Therefore, United need to look at alternatives, and these are not specifically previously-linked players such as Carlos Baleba or Adam Wharton, who would both still command huge fees.

One possible target is former academy graduate and current Everton star James Garner.

Garner has settled well at Everton ever since he made the move away from United, which was highly criticised by United fans at the time, especially for such a low fee.

Garner's contract is coming to an end this summer, and he has shown his quality this season, looking excellent on the ball, while also playing in different positions, sometimes at right-back.

He could be an option for United if he does make the decision to move away from the Toffees, who are intent on nailing him down to a new deal soon.

At the end of the day, United need to assess the different options that they have available. It has been made clear that Anderson is their priority midfield signing, and could represent a long-term solution to a problem that they have had practically ever since Michael Carrick retired.

However, with European football not yet guaranteed, United must balance ambition with financial realism.