{"id":5808,"date":"2026-04-06T16:24:01","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T16:24:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=5808"},"modified":"2026-04-06T16:24:01","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T16:24:01","slug":"rio-ferdinand-names-100m-star-as-first-choice-transfer-target-for-man-utds-midfield-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=5808","title":{"rendered":"Rio Ferdinand names \u00a3100m star as ‘first-choice’ transfer target for Man Utd’s midfield | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\t\"Real\t<\/div>
Elliot Anderson would \u2018absolutely complement\u2019 Kobbie Mainoo in Manchester United\u2019s midfield, says Rio Ferdinand (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rio Ferdinand has encouraged Manchester United to make Nottingham Forest\u2019s Elliot Anderson their primary midfield target ahead of the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.<\/p>\n

The Red Devils have identified central midfield as their key area of focus ahead of the upcoming transfer window having spent around \u00a3200million to overhaul their misfiring attack last summer.<\/p>\n

Old Trafford bosses had also been keen to bring in a central midfielder to fit Ruben Amorim\u2019s much-maligned 3-4-3 system last summer \u2013 and a host of names were linked, including Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and the \u00a3100m-rated Anderson.<\/p>\n

Brighton even confirmed that\u00a0United made an ambitious approach for Baleba before the transfer deadline, only to simply \u2018go away\u2019 when informed the Cameroon international was not for sale.<\/p>\n

Though uncertainty remains surrounding Michael Carrick\u2019s position in the hot seat, work is ongoing behind the scenes at United to explore ways in which the squad could be bolstered in the middle of the park.<\/p>\n

The need for reinforcements was made even more clear when Casemiro confirmed that this season would be his last at United, with the veteran Brazilian distancing himself from any suggestion of a possible U-turn.<\/p>\n

Reports emanating out of Spain last month suggested Casemiro had himself picked out fellow countryman Guimaraes as the ideal replacement at the Theatre of Dreams.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Elliot\t<\/div>
Forest are reportedly demanding a fee of \u00a3100m for Anderson (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\n\t\t\"Olympique\t<\/div>
The Red Devils have also been linked with Newcastle duo Guimaraes and Tonali (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Guimaraes has long been mooted as a possible target for United, in addition to Newcastle team-mate Tonali, who is understood to be valued in the region of \u00a3100m at St James\u2019 Park.<\/p>\n

However, Ferdinand hopes Anderson is placed at the top of United\u2019s wishlist as he feels his unique skillset would \u2018absolutely complement\u2019 Kobbie Mainoo in the engine room next season.<\/p>\n

\u2018Guimaraes and Tonali wouldn\u2019t be my first-choice midfield signings this summer,\u2019 the legendary ex-United and England defender said on his Rio Presents YouTube channel.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s Elliot Anderson. His age, he\u2019s 23 years old\u2026 Guimaraes is 28 and Tonali is 25, soon to be 26, so that counts for a lot for me. I want young, hungry players in my squad.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"England\t<\/div>
Anderson appears a shoo-in for Tuchel\u2019s World Cup squad (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018He complements Mainoo. I think Mainoo is going to be one of the main players in the team now, they\u2019re going to build around him and I think Elliot Anderson absolutely complements him.\u2019<\/p>\n

On a potential Anderson-Mainoo midfield axis, Ferdinand went on: \u2018They\u2019re different. Anderson has that ability, that energy to get around the park, he\u2019s aggressive. We need those legs.<\/p>\n

\u2018And he wins the ball. He\u2019s more combative than the other two.<\/p>\n

\u2018Elliot Anderson is the only player to win over 150 duels, win possession more than 150 times, and win at least 50 fouls in the Premier League, the whole Premier League I must add, this season. They\u2019re my reasons why, guys.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"England\t<\/div>
The Forest midfielder has been capped six times by England (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Anderson\u2019s stock has soared over the last 18 months and the 23-year-old Nottingham Forest star appears a shoo-in for Thomas Tuchel\u2019s World Cup squad in the summer.<\/p>\n

Facing the media prior to the Three Lions\u2019 recent friendly with Japan, Anderson reassured both Forest and England fans that he had been blocking out the incessant noise and speculation over his future.<\/p>\n

\u2018We have the World Cup this summer, my eyes are on that,\u2019 he told reporters. <\/p>\n

\u2018Playing for England, I\u2019ve got the badge on, that\u2019s all I\u2019m thinking about at the moment. <\/p>\n

\u2018All the games are the same, I\u2019m just going on the pitch and doing my best. Fight for whatever strip I have on, that\u2019s all I\u2019m doing.\u2019<\/p>\n

Anderson\u2019s current contract at the City Ground runs through to June 2029.<\/p>\n

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Who would be the best signing for Manchester United?<\/h3>\n