Man Utd’s midfield ‘revolution’ begins as Elliot Anderson transfer decision announced

Robin Bairner

8 Apr 2026 13:59 BST
4 min read

Elliot Anderson, Nottingham Forest, Man Utd, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Manchester United are preparing for a midfield “revolution” in the summer and have received a massive transfer update on the future of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.

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While the Old Trafford club are preparing for new signings in the heart of the park, they are also braced for some important departures.

A comprehensive roundup of United’s plans has been delivered by transfer expert Sacha Tavolieri, who reports that the Red Devils are “clearly targeting two major signings” as a priority this summer.

Casemiro to headline exits

Only one deal has so far been confirmed this summer, with Casemiro departing the club, leaving a huge void to fill as the Premier League’s third-best central midfielder this season and a strong contender for Man Utd’s Player of the Year.

The Brazil international will not be alone in departing Old Trafford.

Manuel Ugarte is set to leave. The former PSG player is primarily wanted by Juventus, but interest from Newcastle and Aston Villa also exists, while there are also other clubs tracking the defensive midfielder’s future.

Compared

Casemiro

DM, M (C)

Man Utd

Casemiro

DM, M (C)

Man Utd

VS

Manuel Ugarte

DM, M (C)

Man Utd

Manuel Ugarte

DM, M (C)

Man Utd

€6.6M	ETV	€51.8M
€5.6M - €7.6M	ETV Range	€46.6M - €57M
34 years old (23 Feb, 1992)	Age	24 years old (11 Apr, 2001)
Brazil	Nationality	Uruguay

Mainoo ‘on the verge’ of new deal

Kobbie Mainoo’s future, meanwhile, remains at the club. Afte a difficult period under Ruben Amorim, the academy product has re-established himself since Michael Carrick took over as interim manager and is set to be rewarded with a new contract.

He is said to be “on the verge” of signing a new deal. Mainoo is regarded as “one of the few untouchable” players at the club.

© IMAGO - Kobbie Mainoo: Close to new deal at Man Utd

Signing targets

In terms of players who might arrive at Man Utd, there are three players mentioned as priorities by Tavolieri.

Among these, Elliot Anderson of Forest has been the most closely linked with a move to Old Trafford in the summer.

But the Red Devils are also interested in a move for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes in a move that Bruno Fernandes is backing. He is not thought to be a priority, however.

Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana is a more serious target but will only leave for a “significant fee”.

Current ETV

Elliot Anderson

M, DM (C)

N. Forest

Elliot Anderson

M, DM (C)

N. Forest

ETV Range

€47.2M - €57.7M

Anderson makes Man Utd transfer decision

United’s hopes of signing Anderson have already been scuppered, according to The Mirror, which claims that Manchester City believe they will sign the midfielder from Nottingham Forest in the summer.

It claims that a £65 million (€75m) deal is close to being agreed, with the England midfielder having already made it clear that moving to the Etihad Stadium is his priority.

City want to get the deal done swiftly, and that will at least give United the opportunity to follow up on other targets.

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