Manchester United have elected to pull themselves out of the Elliot Anderson race, and the verdict is out on that decision now.
It’s no secret that Elliot Anderson was Man Utd’s first-choice midfield target, but the finances involved in that deal ultimately made them think better of it.
Man City are the frontrunners for his signature now, while United have moved to Mateus Fernandes.
After watching England’s 0-0 draw against Ghana, the main question surrounding Man Utd’s decision has been answered.
Should Manchester United pay £125m for Elliot Anderson?
Reports suggest Nottingham Forest have set a £125m valuation on Elliot Anderson. 💰
Elliot Anderson’s limitation too clear to spend £125m
Anderson is an immense player with a lot of good qualities, but even before he became desperate to join City, Man Utd fans had reservations about him.
He has looked busy in a struggling Nottingham Forest side where he has had to plug gaps everywhere.
Playing for Forest, he has rarely had to be the maverick in midfield who can create against a deep block, while playing as the favourites.
He is the perfect underdog midfielder, but underdog is what he won’t be when he joins Man City/if he joined Man Utd.
Against Ghana, those limitations were again in clear focus.
Starting alongside Declan Rice, England’s midfield looked lost and short of ideas as Ghana saw each passage of play happening comfortably in front of them.
Neither Anderson nor Rice are players who can take the ball on the half-turn, play a one-two, and lure defenders out of position with their possession game.
If Elliot Anderson is £125m… What is Kobbie Mainoo’s market value right now?
Not that he's going anywhere…🔒
They are hard-workers in midfield who can shut down passing lanes, eat up the ground, launch into tackles, and keep circulating the ball safely.
That is not a skill set worth £125m, especially when all those skills will be used less and less once Anderson plays for a team that has the onus of taking the game to the opposition.
It’s clear why he looked better against Croatia, a team who didn’t sit back and actually tried to play with the ball. That gave Anderson someone to win it back from and launch it forward.
He might develop his skill set against deep blocks with time, but as it stands, he is nowhere near the £125m being demanded for him by Forest.
The verdict is out, and the main question is answered – Elliot Anderson is the dream underdog midfielder who struggles to take the game by the scruff of its neck.
How those skills will translate to an elite team is too big a risk to spend £125m on.
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