Manchester United don’t always land their primary targets, but the club’s record scorer, Wayne Rooney, has expressed disappointment that Elliot Anderson has signed for Man City.
The hunt for midfielders is well and truly on at Manchester United, especially with Casemiro now gone and Manuel Ugarte sustaining a long-term knee injury at the 2026 World Cup.
Elliot Anderson was a United target until Nottingham Forest’s demands proved too excessive. The 23-year-old midfielder has since joined Man City in a deal worth £116 million.
United had already started looking at alternatives such as Anderson, while Aurelien Tchouameni is another option linked with a summer move to Old Trafford.
What do you think of Man City spending £130 million on Elliot Anderson?
Will Anderson be a flop? Or will United regret not paying up?
Wayne Rooney ‘gutted’ as Elliot Anderson signs for Man City
United have yet to complete any deals this summer, but an agreement has been reached for Ederson to join from Atalanta after the World Cup.
The Brazilian midfielder received a late call-up to Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man World Cup squad, though he is expected to link up with Michael Carrick and his new teammates later this summer – well into pre-season.
However, the World Cup has not stopped City from getting a deal over the line to sign Anderson. The former Newcastle midfielder completed his medical in New York on Monday, while preparing for England’s Round of 16 tie against the Congo DR.
Rooney has admitted he is ‘gutted’ that United didn’t sign Anderson, but warns there is a possibility that there are no guarantees he will be a success at City.
“I think you’re in danger with players’ careers here,” Rooney said on the Wayne Rooney Show.
“I think Elliott Anderson is a fantastic player. I’m gutted that Man United didn’t get him, to be honest.
“But I think we’ve seen it with players go for big money. We’ve seen it with Kalvin Phillips from Leeds and Jack Grealish to some extent. Obviously, Jack’s won a lot of things, but now also because the manager didn’t fancy him anymore.
“He’s been in limbo. You play this money for players, which is very difficult to turn down, and the clubs obviously can’t turn it down, but they end up getting left in a position where they don’t fit in.”
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Wayne Rooney is ‘gutted’ Manchester United didn’t sign Elliot Anderson
- Man City signed Anderson for £116m
- Rooney doesn’t believe Anderson will be a guaranteed success at City
If Manuel Ugarte’s injury is as bad as feared, what should Man United do?
It is claimed Ugarte could miss 9-12 months through his knee injury.
Wayne Rooney calls for Kobbie Mainoo’s World Cup debut
Kobbie Mainoo has not been given a single minute of action at the 2026 World Cup.
Overlooked on the bench for the three group matches, Mainoo’s status in the England team has been questioned.
Now, discussing the midfield he would pick against the Congo DR, Rooney suggested dropping Anderson for Mainoo.
He added: “I’d go with Declan Rice sitting, and I’d go with Mainoo and Jude Bellingham.
“Mainoo can give you a bit of both, but in tight areas, that’s Mainoo’s biggest strength – his feet in tight areas, and then he has got a little pass.
“I think he’s the only one who is capable of doing that in those tight areas.”
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