Manchester United will only play 40 matches in total this season after exiting the FA Cup in the third round.
The Red Devils were beaten 2-1 by Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Sunday, with striker Danny Welbeck netting Brighton’s second against his former club.
United’s search for a caretaker manager is ongoing following the departure of head coach Ruben Amorim earlier this month, with former players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick both in the running to be appointed.
Now, ahead of the Manchester derby against Manchester City in their next outing, it has emerged that United have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of an England international.
As per TEAMtalk, Man United have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, with rivals Man City having ‘made contact’ over a deal for the player.
Anderson, 23, joined Forest from Premier League rivals Newcastle United in 2024 and has since built a reputation as one of the best central midfielders in the English top flight.
Anderson has attracted interest from both Manchester City and Manchester United (Photo: News Images LTD/Alamy)
So far he has made 68 appearances for the club across all competitions, and he has also now featured six times for England at senior level having made his international debut in September last year.
City boss Pep Guardiola is said to be a particular admirer of the midfielder, with City’s recruitment team having closely monitored the player’s progress since arriving at The City Ground 18 months ago.
It is claimed that City have implied that they intend to realise their interest in Anderson when the transfer window reopens this summer, with a bid likely to be made then.
Anderson’s current contract with Forest is set to run until the end of the 2028/29 season.