Rio Ferdinand has weighed in on a debate over whether Manchester United should sign Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton to bolster the midfield this summer.
Manchester United will be in the market for midfielders this summer following the news that Casemiro will be leaving Old Trafford.
It won’t be easy to identify a replacement for Casemiro, who signed for United in 2022 with five Champions League triumphs under his belt from his time at Real Madrid, but there is no shortage of options, with several Premier League stars under consideration.
What is your message to Michael Carrick after the win vs Everton?
Getty Images
Those targets include Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.
Elliot Anderson playing against Liverpool
Photo by Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand urges Man Utd to sign Elliot Anderson over Adam Wharton
Anderson and Wharton are two players United have been heavily linked with to replace Casemiro.
The Brazilian veteran remains a constant feature in the line-up, with Michael Carrick opting to partner Casemiro with Kobbie Mainoo in the middle of the pitch.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Anderson would be a better fit for the Red Devils because of the physicality he would bring to the team, whereas he fears that Wharton is too similar to Mainoo.
More United News
“Elliot Anderson I would love to have him at the football club, 100 per cent,” Ferdinand said on Rio Ferdinand Presents. “His energy, his physicality. He knows the league.
“Adam Wharton, I’ve spoken about him; maybe he might be too similar to Kobbie Mainoo. We then lack a little bit of physicality in the midfield area with him in that sense.
“I’d lean on Elliot Anderson this season, the way he’s played, his traits would suit, blend with Kobbie Mainoo.”
These are players of similar age and quality, who play the same position, but they’re different in terms of strengths as Ferdinand accurately points out.
You have £100m to spend on a midfielder – who are YOU buying, Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton?
Or is there another realistic player you would sign instead? Let us know who!
Anderson or Wharton graphic
Getty Images
Anderson not only brings more physicality to the table, but his ability to bring the ball forward is also second to none, especially as a carrier. Wharton is renowned for his final ball in and around the danger zone.
Elliot Anderson is the most in-form Premier League midfielder
According to WhoScored, Anderson is currently the most in-form midfielder in the Premier League.
The young England international has earned an average rating of 7.55 in his last six appearances, despite the fact Forest are relegation contenders.
Anderson is not letting Forest’s struggles this season get in the way of his progress as a player in the top-flight.
There will be no shortage of interest in Anderson, whether Forest stay up or suffer relegation back to the Championship.
Forest have a run of tough fixtures coming up. They will be relying on players like Anderson to save them from the drop.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox