Ruben Amorim is enjoying a renaissance at Man Utd, but there is still a lot of work to be done on this team, so one target’s latest performance might just cement him as a priority.
Ineos have had a clear theme to their transfers at Manchester United so far. They need to want a move to Old Trafford, and they should have the mentality to succeed.
The latter is what’s going against Carlos Baleba at the moment, as he keeps struggling to impress for Brighton after a summer of interest from Man Utd.
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While Baleba struggles, another Man Utd target has just had a commanding performance on the biggest stage to quash all questions about his mentality.
Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest is challenged by Alexander Isak of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Anfield on November 22, 2025
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Man Utd get salivating look at Elliot Anderson
As Baleba struggles to get over his slump, Elliot Anderson has gone from strength to strength for Nottingham Forest.
Anderson impressed against Man Utd in an audition which Baleba failed, and he has now gone a step further and bossed the midfield against United’s fierce rivals.
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Anderson was everywhere against Liverpool in Forest’s 3-0 win at Anfield, playing the role of a midfield enforcer and the creator-in-chief in an all-action performance.
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Liverpool dominated possession, which meant perfection was required from Anderson every time he had the ball.
He needed to create with few touches, and he needed to repel every Liverpool attack by being at the right place at the right time.
That is exactly what he did, as he finished the game by creating three chances for Forest, in addition to completing a remarkable 16 defensive actions. (Stats courtesy Fotmob)
With 63 touches, everything Forest did went through him, and by the full-time whistle, he was the architect of Forest’s biggest scalp this season.
Anderson entering “must-buy” territory for Man Utd
United’s interest in Anderson has developed quickly as they pivot from Baleba to the Forest midfielder, but his all-action displays are making him a “must-buy” for Ruben Amorim.
Such a presence is exactly what Amorim demands from his midfielder, who needs to be able to contribute to both phases of play with equal proficiency.
Add to that Anderson’s age, his Premier League-provenness, and the mentality he has shown this season amid intense interest in his services, and the green flags keep going up.
He won’t come cheap by any means, but if the likes of Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice have shown anything, it’s that getting that defensive midfielder right is worth everything and more in this league.
Anderson can be one of those players who are the engine rooms of their respective elite teams for United.