Manchester United’s rise under the guidance of Michael Carrick has been nothing short of remarkable, with the club now in with a genuine chance of Champions League football.
The 44-year-old has now won seven of his first nine Premier League matches at the helm, catapulting the Red Devils above Aston Villa and into third place in the division.
Such a move could allow the club to recruit additional top-level talents during the upcoming transfer window, which will no doubt bolster their ambitions of securing English top-flight glory.
Man-Utd-Michael-Carrick-Newcastle
The midfield department is one that is set for huge change between now and the start of the 2026/27 season, after Casemiro announced he would be departing Old Trafford.
As a result, numerous top-level talents have appeared on their radar over the last few days, with multiple players continuing to be touted with moves to join Carrick’s men.
Man Utd make £100m star their top midfield target this summer
Over the last couple of days, Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes has emerged as a leading target for the United hierarchy ahead of the summer window.
The 28-year-old could be set for a departure from St James’ Park during the upcoming window, with the Magpies potentially needing to sell key players if they miss out on European football.
Bruno-Guimaraes
However, any deal could well be a tricky one to complete, with Eddie Howe massively reluctant to offload his star man - who’s racked up 15 combined goals and assists this term.
At present, Guimaraes isn’t the only player currently in the hierarchy’s sights ahead of the off-season, with Nottingham Forest talent Elliot Anderson also being considered.
According to Ben Jacobs, the 23-year-old is now the Red Devils’ number one transfer target to replace Casemiro in the midfield department this summer.
He also states that a huge transfer battle could well be on the cards for his signature, as bitter rivals Manchester City are also expected to make a move for the Reds sensation.
elliot-anderson-nottingham-forest
Any move could cost the board a pretty penny though, as Vitor Pereira’s men are said to be demanding a fee in the region of £100m for the England international.
Why Anderson would be better than Mainoo for United
As previously mentioned, the midfield department has been an area up for debate at United in recent months, especially after Ruben Amorim’s tenure at the club.
Kobbie Mainoo, who was once a key starter, often had to settle for a place on the substitutes bench, with the manager often picking the likes of Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro ahead of him.
Mainoo
However, Carrick’s appointment has allowed the 20-year-old to return to the starting eleven in recent weeks, subsequently starting every game since the temporary manager’s arrival.
His tremendous form at Old Trafford in recent weeks has seen the academy graduate earn a deserved return to the England squad - joining Harry Maguire in Thomas Tuchel’s side.
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It’s unclear how many minutes he will feature for during the upcoming break, especially with current transfer target Anderson also being included in the announcement.
The Forest star has been a regular starter during Tuchel’s time in the role, with the 23-year-old set to be a starter for the national side during this summer’s World Cup.
Elliot Anderson for Nottingham Forest-1
However, he could well be playing alongside his compatriot at United next season, if the hierarchy can beat City to his signature during the upcoming window.
When comparing his stats to those of Mainoo from the Premier League this term, Anderson has massively dominated - subsequently demonstrating why he’s already better than the Red Devils star.
The Forest star currently ranks within the top 10% for countless stats in and out of possession, with his potential arrival massively bolstering the options at the club’s disposal.
Anderson has averaged a staggering 7.9 ground duels won per 90 and 2.8 tackles won per 90 this campaign - subsequently ranking him in the 98th and 92nd percentile, respectively.
Elliot Anderson - PL stats (2025/26)
Statistics
Games played
Goals & assists
Ground duels won
Tackles won
Passes completed
Crosses completed
Fouls drawn
Pass accuracy
Such figures are way above those produced by Mainoo in the current season, with the Red star able to hand United an added ball-winning option at the heart of the side.
In possession, the Englishman has been just as impressive this campaign, subsequently completing 64.7 passes and 5.2 crosses per 90 as of the 20th of March.
Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest
Just like his numbers out of possession, they rank highly compared to other midfielders in the division, with Anderson in the top 5% for both of the aforementioned metrics.
He’s also become a player who’s extremely hard to dispossess, as seen by his tally of 2.2 fouls drawn per 90 - which places him in the top 3% of players in England’s top-flight.
Just like his stats out of possession, Mainoo has been unable to get close to the numbers produced by the Forest star - further reaffirming why he’s a bigger talent than the United star.
£100m for his signature would be a club-record for the Red Devils, but it’s a deal that could well set the club up for success over numerous years across all competitions.
Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson celebrates after the match
With rivals Manchester City also keen on his signature, it’s important that the hierarchy work quickly to avoid missing out on a deal for his signature in the summer.
Despite the reported interest in Guimaraes, Anderson should be the club’s top target for the upcoming summer - with the player more than capable of starring in the club’s hunt for success.
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