Manchester United have their sights set on the red ribbon, and if they cross the red ribbon ahead of the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool, they will play in the Champions League next season.
The Premier League has not been a happy hunting ground for the Red Devils in recent years, with a record low of 15th place last year under manager Ruben Amorim, made worse by their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
After so many failures, there is a strong sense that change has taken place under the INEOS regime, with Michael Carrick appointed as caretaker manager, and the impending summer transfer window presents the perfect opportunity to consolidate this strong position.
It is unclear at this point whether Carrick will continue to take the reins, but with Casemiro set to leave at the end of his contract, Man United will need a top-class replacement for their number six.
Manchester United ready to sign Casemiro upgrade
Casemiro, 34, has been a loyal servant to Manchester United and it will be interesting to watch him develop in the second half of his Premier League career.
There’s not much to say about that. INEOS waived the option to extend the Brazilian veteran’s contract by one year, which makes sense given the financial and change requirements involved.
But it is now vital that the Old Trafford side make the right decision to replace him, and while Premier League stars such as Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali and Carlos Baleva have been named, there is one player who must be prioritized above all others.
Manchester United have selected Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson as a dream choice to strengthen their midfield at Old Trafford this summer, according to Sky Sports. But neighbors Manchester City are also keen, with separate reports suggesting Josep Guardiola’s side are leading the race.
The England international has emerged as one of the best players in the business and his price tag does not come cheap. In fact, he is valued at £100m by Tricky Trees.
With Casemiro leaving, the Red Devils need six new players. A variety of options have been mentioned, and Anderson may be the only one selected.
Why Andersson is the perfect upgrade for Casemiro
Anderson is not the only player on Manchester United manager Jason Wilcox’s shortlist. Newcastle’s Guimarães and Tonali are both highly praised and both will likely pay a similar price to Anderson.
It’s one of three. Eddie Howe’s lieutenants are better than the 23-year-old Anderson, but there is a reason why the Magpies manager regrets selling him to Forest and has been vocal about his desire to bring him back to St James’ Park this season.
In some ways, Anderson is more than Forrest. He is well-placed to star alongside Declan Rice in England’s midfield at this summer’s World Cup, and his ability has also drawn him to the top of the Premier League tree.
With Andersson in charge of the engine room, Manchester United could not only upgrade the aging Casemiro but also get a better deal than investing in Tonali or Guimarães. The former has had many ups and downs on Tyneside, while the latter will turn 29 in November.
Anderson is young and unrefined, but has already been described by England manager Thomas Tuchel as “one of the best midfielders in the Premier League”.
He is also better than Tonali as a number six, and his grace and intelligence work well as an adjunct to the more organized Guimarães in the center of the pitch.
Is Andersson better than Guimarães right now? There’s definitely a point to that.
Premier League comparison (25/26) | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* per 90) | Guimaraes | anderson |
Match (start) | 23(22) | 31(31) |
Goal + Assist | 9+4 | 2+2 |
touch* | 71.0 | 89.7 |
Exact path* | 44.3 (86%) | 55.4 (86%) |
A big opportunity has arisen | 5 | 6 |
Key pass* | 1.7 | 1.5 |
dribble* | 0.6 (37%) | 1.3 (52%) |
Ball recovery rate* | 4.7 | 8.4 |
Tackle + Interception* | 2.7 | 4.0 |
Win a duel* | 5.5 (50%) | 8.2 (55%) |
In fact, Guimarães probably boasts a slightly wider passing range. But it is certainly questionable whether the Brazilian’s creativity should be prioritized when Bruno Fernandes is riding the crest of a huge wave.
In Anderson, Carrick (or any player given a permanent position) will find an all-action midfielder with dynamic athleticism and physical attributes. Although his potential is still untapped, he is already comparable to players like Guimarães.
Is it gambling? Anderson would have cost a lot of money to sign, but he proved successful in his two years at Forest, first leading a high-flying squad that punched above its weight, then keeping a City Ground afloat from the brink of sinking.
The best is yet to come, so Wilcox needs to make sure it happens at Theater of Dreams.
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