Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Manchester United were handed a first loss of 2026 on Wednesday night at the hands of Newcastle, but at the same time, Elliot Anderson was furthering his claim to be a top priority this summer.
Nottingham Forest took points from Manchester City, while Manchester United lost to Newcastle on Wednesday.
It was a result that effectively handed Arsenal a pretty emphatic advantage in the Premier League title race, and Elliot Anderson delivered the deciding blow.
Here is what Anderson did against City.
Record transfers graphic
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Elliot Anderson knee slide for Nottingham Forest.
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Elliot Anderson was the best player on the pitch at the Etihad
United’s midfield lacked sharpness and intensity against Newcastle, which ultimately saw a 10-man side outwork and outperform Michael Carrick’s side.
Meanwhile, in Manchester, Anderson was the best player on the pitch against City.
Anderson scored a world-class goal, similar to Matheus Cunha’s against Arsenal, which tied the game at 2-2.
But Anderson’s performance beyond the goal was also stellar, showcasing exactly why he should be transfer target number one this summer.
Anderson completed 87 per cent of his passes, including a 75 per cent accuracy with his long passing. He had 72 touches of the ball and completed 13 carries in a performance showing exactly what United are missing.
Defensively, Anderson continued his impressive qualities, completing nine defensive contributions and winning four tackles.
He engaged in a whopping 21 duels, winning 11 of them, demonstrating his ability to do the dirty work.
Signing Anderson should be priority number one this summer for United, and this performance should dispel any questions over who Ineos should sign as a priority.
Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Yan Diomande in graphic.
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Anderson is the all-action midfielder Manchester United needs
As good as Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo are, the game against Newcastle was a damning indictment of the lack of athleticism and mobility currently in the midfield for United.
Even Manuel Ugarte looked like an improvement upon his addition, with Casemiro and Mainoo far too passive in he midfield as Newcastle’s aggression and speed in that department was too much, seeing Casemiro caught on the ball several times.
Anderson immediately fixes this with his running, aggression, and quality on the ball, upgrading the midfield instantly.
There is no option number two for United, it’s Anderson, and then anybody else is levels below. Ineos needs to step up right now and put the case to Anderson to ensure he is signed.