The massive reason why Manchester United have the edge over Manchester City for £100m summer transfer

Manchester United reportedly have the edge over rivals Manchester City in the hunt for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson. According to The Mirror, the advantage stems from a well-known tactical difference: City’s refusal to be dragged into expensive bidding wars. This institutional hesitation gives United the green light to act fast when the window opens. The goal is to wrap up a deal before Anderson’s stint at the 2026 FIFA World Cup potentially sends his price tag through the roof.

Forest aren’t going to let him go cheap, though. They value the 23-year-old at over £100 million. Having joined from Newcastle in 2024 with a contract running until June 2029, Forest are in a strong position to demand top dollar. We’ve seen this play out before. City famously backed away from Alexis Sanchez in 2018 and Harry Maguire in 2019 because they wouldn’t match United’s spending. It looks like history is repeating itself.

Is Anderson the right option for Manchester United?

With Casemiro confirmed to leave Old Trafford this summer, United are desperate for midfield reinforcements. Anderson suits a very specific mould. This season, he’s clocked 2,417 minutes over 27 matches, recording one goal and two assists. While those numbers aren’t eye-popping, his underlying data is. Anderson ranks first in the league for activity and influence, fourth for positional awareness, and seventh for expected threat.

He’s a tireless engine room player who can anchor a double pivot. His 1,442 successful passes (9th in the league) and physical stamina make him an asset, but he isn’t a silver bullet. His shooting accuracy is a low 22.58%, and he isn’t a prolific creator yet.

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Frankly, if United want a true Casemiro successor, SciSports data points toward Sandro Tonali as a more seamless upgrade. Spending £80–100 million on a player without Champions League experience is a massive gamble. Anderson is a vital piece of a midfield overhaul, but he shouldn’t be the only solution Manchester United bring in.