Manchester United failed to sign Elliot Anderson this summer after being outbid by Manchester City, but this is already aging really well for Ineos.
No matter what way it is spun, Manchester United didn’t miss out on Elliot Anderson, because Ineos were never going to spend so much money on a player with such limitations.
United quite rightly refused to join the race for Anderson with £130m an absolutely outrageous price tag and I am thrilled with the decision to avoid him.
Anderson’s performances at the World Cup have made it appear like United may have dodged a bullet. Now, Thomas Tuchel’s stance on Anderson and Kobbie Mainoo affirms that belief.
Let us hear your thoughts on Thomas Tuchel’s treatment of Kobbie Mainoo
Thomas Tuchel’s stance on Kobbie Mainoo proves Manchester United right
Whoever United signed in midfield this summer would have been expected to partner Mainoo, who is a far better midfielder than Anderson, but the two would have been very tough to play in the same starting line-up.
According to the Daily Mail after England’s World Cup exit, the situation of Mainoo not getting game-time can be explained by Tuchel not quite liking him in a partnership with Anderson.
Mainoo was used during training sessions alongside Anderson, with the idea that he would feature but Tuchel didn’t like the pairing. This is a poor excuse from Tuchel, because Anderson had been pretty poor all tournament long and Mainoo and Declan Rice are a brilliant partnership.
But with Rice not 100%, Mainoo and Anderson playing together isn’t a good match.
I noticed this after they started a friendly together in March, Mainoo and Anderson weren’t good together, but to not even give Mainoo a chance instead of the £130m City man was among Tuchel’s biggest mistakes.
Against Argentina, England supporters finally realised this, with Tuchel going for athletes instead of good footballers. Graeme Souness criticised Anderson as being limited on an appearance on Sports Uncensored, which ultimately saw England throw away a final place against Argentina having not been able to control the game.
I was against Anderson from the start, especially at the price he cost. He would have been a wise signing to rotate but as Mainoo’s partner to be first-choice, he was never going to work at United.
Anderson’s reputation has already taken a huge hit with his World Cup struggles, United’s decision to avoid him is aging beautifully.
Which Man Utd player had the WORST treatment by an England manager?
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United also dodged bullet with Thomas Tuchel
Tuchel not wanting to use Mainoo and Anderson together is exactly why Ineos were spot on to turn away from signing him for £130m.
But United have also learned this summer that not appointing Tuchel was a huge bullet dodged.
His excuses, negative mentality and treatment of Mainoo is far too similar to Ruben Amorim, which would have been a disaster waiting to happen for United.
United fans would have hated Tuchel having gotten a closer look at him with England, and his lack of accountability and panic in the media after losing would have seen him cave under the pressure of United quite easily.
So in favour of Mainoo, United are right to have avoided Anderson and also Tuchel.
Mainoo’s quality will see this end up being two excellent decisions from Ineos.
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