Manchester United have put a new midfielder right at the top of their summer shopping list ahead of the transfer window and Rio Ferdinand is a big fan of one of their potential targets
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand has given his verdict on Man United's transfer approach(Image: Getty Images)
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Rio Ferdinand believes Elliot Anderson ‘ticks Manchester United’s boxes’ as they continue their hunt for a new midfielder. The Red Devils have put a new central midfielder right at the top of their summer shopping list.
Their need is now higher, with Casemiro set to depart at the end of the season at the conclusion of his deal. A number of names have already been linked with potential moves to Old Trafford including Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Nottingham Forest star Anderson, as well as Newcastle duo Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.
But there is a clear front-runner in the view of former United defender Ferdinand. He said: “Beginning of the season everyone was talking about [Carlos] Baleba, he seems to have gone off the boil a little bit form wise.
“Elliot Anderson, he seems to have jumped to the front of the queue. I think he’s a wonderful player. I think Elliot Anderson is the right type not only of player but character, I think he’d be a good addition to the squad.
“Tonali is a big talent that everyone is talking about, Guimaraes is another big talent that everyone is talking about, but I just think the type of midfielder United need is somebody who is a bit more all-action, who can cover ground, who is dynamic, who is robust, strong, who can drive a team.
“Right now Anderson seems to be ticking those boxes. But I think there are a few other young guns out there who I won’t mention their names yet because I don’t want anyone else to get on that scent.”
Anderson, 23, joined Forest from Newcastle in the summer of 2024 and he has gone on to make 82 appearances for the Midlands side. He has also kicked off his international career over recent seasons, with six caps for England.
Elliot Anderson
Man United are among the clubs interested in Elliot Anderson(Image: Getty Images)
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The midfielder remains under contract with Forest until 2029. It has previously been reported that the club want to bank around £80million should they choose to sell Anderson, a price that United have accepted they will have to pay in order to land one of their top targets.
"I'm just focusing on my football at the moment and performing and trying to give everything for Nottingham Forest, really," Anderson said earlier this season when asked about his future. "So that's all that's on my mind."