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Manchester United transfer News: Scholes wants Red Devils to beat Manchester City for Elliot Anderson

Manchester United transfer news: Manchester United’s summer plans are making headlines again as Paul Scholes urges his old club to beat Manchester City to the signing of Elliot Anderson. The Nottingham Forest midfielder has emerged as a top priority for the 2026/27 season. Speaking on talkSPORT’s Sports Breakfast with Andy Goldstein and Gabby Agbonlahor, Scholes heaped praise on the 23-year-old England international, whom he has been watching since his Newcastle days.

Forest are under pressure to sell to stay in line with PSR rules, but they are holding out for a fee in the region of £100 million. Both Manchester clubs have already touched base with Anderson’s camp. City are looking at him as a potential replacement if Bernardo Silva leaves or if Real Madrid make a move for Rodri. Meanwhile, United want at least one or two experienced midfielders to bolster a squad that is now back in the Champions League.

Scholes backs Anderson for Old Trafford success

“I really liked him when I was at Newcastle,” Scholes explained. Newcastle were forced to sell him earlier than they wanted due to financial regulations. What Anderson is doing at Forest has been incredibly impressive, particularly in the Europa League. He has also made the step up for England.

While the Champions League will be a bigger test, Scholes is confident Anderson can handle it. He believes a midfield duo of Anderson and Kobbie Mainoo is exactly what fans want to see next season, especially after their promising partnership during England’s March friendly against Japan.

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In 36 Premier League appearances during the 2025/26 campaign, Anderson chipped in with four goals and two assists. He averaged 0.11 goals per 90 minutes, and his expected assists (0.20 per 90) put him among the top 20 per cent of players in his position.

The Englishman’s distribution is equally reliable, averaging 63 passes per game with an 85 per cent success rate. Defensively, he is a workhorse, averaging 2.75 tackles per 90 and winning ground duels at a 98th-percentile rate, though he can still be caught out by quick dribblers.

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Should Manchester United prioritise Elliot Anderson over other midfield options this summer?

United fans are desperate for a midfield that has the energy and creative longevity. Anderson offers that box-to-box engine, smart passing, and defensive grit that would slot perfectly into Michael Carrick’s setup.

Because he is young and already proven in the Premier League, he represents a much lower risk than bringing in someone from abroad. While the price tag is steep, pairing him with Mainoo would give United a homegrown core to build around for years to come. If the club want to stay in the top four, they need to move fast before City close the deal.

The Manchester United transfer news drum is beating louder as the club look to take this next step in their rebuild.