Manchester City could be relegated as part of their punishment after the club were found guilty of breaching 114 of the Premier League's financial rules, and their star players could flee
Elliot Anderson of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Coventry City at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, United Kingdom, on September 5, 2026. (Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Manchester City signed Elliot Anderson for £116million in July(Image: Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Manchester United legend Teddy Sheringham has told the club to reignite their pursuit of Elliot Anderson and capitalise on Manchester City's impending crisis. Anderson, 23, was a target for United in the summer transfer window before City gazumped them by striking a £116million deal with Nottingham Forest.
The midfielder has enjoyed a promising start to life at the Etihad and remains a key player for England, having boosted his stock at the World Cup. But the bombshell news that City have now been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League in February 2023 for breaching financial rules has put their players' careers in jeopardy.
City continue to deny the charges and have lodged an appeal. Fans have been left speculating over what punishment the club could face, with a heavy points deduction, a forced sale or even being expelled from the Premier League all mooted.
If City fall from grace, a host of players might opt to jump ship. Sheringham believes that Anderson will be one of those 'available' and wants United to sign him.
"I think there's going to be a lot of top players available at Manchester City, and Anderson is definitely one of them," the ex-United striker told Hajper. "I love him. I can't believe anyone has question marks over him.
"He is a fantastic player, and he was brilliant again for England against Spain. He just has everything for me, but there will be 20 players up for grabs, and if Manchester United can grab any of them, it will enhance them, because United don’t have any top players anymore.
"Bruno Fernandes is the leading light at United, and you’ve still got a few good players, but you don't have anyone who is a top player in their position. They're all at the other clubs, a lot of them are Manchester City players, so there’s a big opportunity on the horizon for United now."
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Elliot Anderson of England during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between England and Spain at Wembley Stadium on September 26, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Elliot Anderson is a nailed-on starter for England(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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United fans - nor City's - may not take well to Sheringham's comments. Anderson riled up the red half when he labelled City the 'kings of Manchester' ahead of last month's derby which his new team won 1-0 at Old Trafford.
The England international also revealed after joining City that they were always his 'second team' after being gifted a shirt when he was younger. "Obviously, I'm a Newcastle fan deep down but you've always got a second team and for me, that was Manchester City," Anderson said.
"I think I was about seven or eight years old, and I just started following the club and really enjoyed it. My grandad bought me a Manchester City shirt, so I've just loved supporting them since then."