Manchester United have a preference for their preferred midfield target when it comes to Elliot Anderson or Sandro Tonali.
It is shaping up to be a major summer for Manchester United.
Ineos will decide who will be United’s head coach for the new season, and the transfer window will be open, allowing the recruitment team to improve the team ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Among the list of priorities will be revamping the midfield following Casemiro’s departure. That has led to United being linked with a range of midfield targets in the Premier League, such as Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Carlos Baleba.
Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali
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Man Utd want Elliot Anderson over Sandro Tonali
There are still seven games left to play in the Premier League before the season comes to an end.
Hopefully, United can enter the transfer window having secured Champions League qualification, as that will help boost the club’s transfer kitty.
Nottingham Forest ace Anderson has long been United’s primary target, though many in the media seem to believe the England international is destined to sign for rivals Man City.
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There have also been strong links to Newcastle star Tonali, with the Magpies willing to let star players go granted their demands are met as a selling club.
It is believed Tonali is open to a move to United; however, Ben Jacobs believes Anderson remains a priority for the Red Devils.
Anderson is viewed by United as a better value for money deal because of his age and his incredible potential.
Jacobs doesn’t believe the race to sign Anderson is over, but he does stress that it’s likely that the 23-year-old will be playing his football in Manchester next season.
“This is quite complicated, but the nuts and bolts of it are that Tonali vs Elliot Anderson,” Jacobs told The United Stand.
“Anderson is viewed by United as better value for money because of his age and his high ceiling.
“The wages are lower and would fit into the structure; agent fees are thought to be lower as well. Man City think exactly the same thing as well.
“That final price will be determined by Evangelos Marinakis, who is never easy to deal with, but it would be a surprise if, come the summer, Elliot Anderson isn’t playing for either the red or blue side of Manchester.”
It’s also a bonus for Anderson that he is now playing with Kobbie Mainoo in the national team. Surely that is something he wants to build on over the coming years?
IF Elliot Anderson signs for Man City, who would be your TOP PRIORITY midfield alternative?
Elliot Anderson knee slide for Nottingham Forest.
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Sandro Tonali’s World Cup wait continues
Unlike Anderson, Tonali won’t be playing at the World Cup this summer.
Italy failed to qualify after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-off final.
That means Tonali’s wait to play at a World Cup continues.
The 25-year-old has been a feature in the Italy national team since 2019, but the Italians last qualified for a World Cup in 2014.
This means Tonali will be able to focus on his future throughout the summer. There won’t be any international tournaments delaying the process.
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