Elliot Anderson and England are through to the World Cup quarter-finals, but Man Utd have a learning from the game.
The deal for Elliot Anderson was called off by Man Utd after Man City rocked up with a £130m package and huge wages to boot.
Since then, Mateus Fernandes has signed elsewhere too, which makes it so that United won’t be signing their first and second-choice targets.
However, Anderson showed vs Mexico that Man Utd have done the hard part right. Now comes the next step.
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?
Man Utd right to avoid Elliot Anderson at that price
There was disappointment when City beat Utd to Anderson’s signature, but there was also an acceptance that United conceded the race, instead of City beating them.
Ineos just didn’t see value for money on a deal that had crossed the British record for a player who was good at many things, but was riding the momentum of a breakout season.
Furthermore, what Anderson managed last season was in an underdog team in a very specific set of circumstances, where he was required to do everything.
Playing for England, it’s becoming increasingly clear how much Anderson has to improve in multiple areas before being worthy of a fee like that.
Against Mexico, the usual problems with Anderson surfaced, as he struggled to get on the ball and dictate the pace of the game.
Elite midfielders are capable of doing that, and it’s almost a necessity at times because they will be up against teams who sit back and defend.
Mexico attacked in numbers, and not even Anderson’s defensive abilities came to the fore as the opponents sliced through the midfield.
He was subbed off while barely making a mark on the game when England needed him the most. United’s decision not to spend £130m looks justified.
The next step? The jury is still out.
Man Utd need to nail the alternatives
For all of Anderson’s shortcomings as a player and his fee, patting yourself on the back for not going for him makes sense only if United get good alternatives through the door.
Which transfer targets do you NOT want Man Utd to sign?
Let's turn the transfer question on it's head, and give Jason Wilcox some advice…
The next step is where they have already failed once, conceding the Mateus Fernandes race to Spurs.
Andrey Santos has emerged as the latest target, but the downgrade from Anderson to Santos is pretty huge, to put it kindly.
United are still looking for a proven name in midfield who can slot right alongside Mainoo and pick up from where Casemiro left off last season.
Neither Ederson nor Santos is that player, but Anderson or Fernandes could have been.
United walking away from Anderson will be called a masterstroke only if they nail the alternative, regardless of how poorly Anderson is doing at the World Cup.
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