Elliot Anderson looks to be slipping from Man Utd’s grasp, but there’s a hidden Kobbie Mainoo factor which could hand the club an advantage.
The Manchester derby is expected to renew off the pitch for Elliot Anderson’s signature, as City’s interest in the player has complicated matters for Man Utd.
Combine that with interest from European elites like Bayern, and it’s clear that United will have to do a tremendous pitch to convince the Forest midfielder.
They’d be remiss not to mention the Kobbie Mainoo factor during the pitch, because it’s an ace in the hole City don’t have.
IF Elliot Anderson signs for Man City, who would be your TOP PRIORITY midfield alternative?
Kobbie Mainoo’s off-pitch factor in Elliot Anderson chase
United’s midfield revamp for the summer became a lot easier after Michael Carrick’s arrival because he restored Kobbie Mainoo to his starting XI.
A partner to Mainoo is needed now instead of a replacement for him, and the same is reflected in advancing contract talks with Mainoo.
Therein lies the hidden factor for United, because Mainoo shares the same agency as Anderson – CAA Stellar – so United’s executives are already in touch with Anderson’s representatives.
Because Mainoo has been made to feel valuable and the negotiations for an extension are going well, the timing couldn’t be better to smooth the club’s relationship with the agency.
This relationship would have been frosty under Amorim, when United were willing to sell Mainoo for as little as £40m.
In contrast, City’s two most high-profile clients who are under CAA Stellar are Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri, neither of whom is valued much by the club.
Therefore, not only are United already in direct and positive contact with Anderson’s agency for extending Mainoo’s contract, but City also don’t have anything to match that ace in the hole.
Mainoo’s off-pitch factor is the kind of marginal gain that United will be all over if it means edging ahead of City in the race for Anderson.
Man Utd are prepared with contingency plans
United’s tryst with CAA Stellar is a positive development in their chase of Elliot Anderson, but they are nonetheless prepared with contingency plans.
Which of these players do you want to see Man Utd SIGN in 2026?
The following names have been suggested by fans on TalkingPoints…
One marquee midfielder is non-negotiable in the summer, and if Anderson isn’t it, then a quick pivot needs to be in the offing.
Currently, it looks like Sandro Tonali is that pivot, which isn’t a bad choice at all.
What United can’t afford to do is repeat their Frenkie de Jong saga of trying to convince a player for the whole window, getting rejected, then buying someone in panic.
Ineos have earned enough trust for Man Utd fans to know that they won’t repeat Glazer era mistakes like that.
Having at least one midfielder secured before the start of the pre-season should be where all the priorities are focused.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
