Elliot Anderson: Paul Merson delivers bold verdict on United’s top target | OneFootball

Manchester United are gearing up for a blockbuster summer, when they are expected to go all out to upgrade their midfield. The Red Devils were also linked with several candidates for the job this month, but refrained from splashing the cash in the middle of the campaign.

There is a belief that caretaker manager Michael Carrick has enough resources to secure a top-four finish this season, having started his tenure with a bang. United have won all three Premier League games since the Englishman took charge last month, and are now fourth in the league table after 24 games.

However, Casemiro’s impending departure has added more urgency to the Red Devils’ midfield reinforcement plans. The Brazilian, who has started every game under Carrick, has already announced that he will leave the club once his contract expires in less than five months.

Among the players tipped to take the 33 year old’s place at Old Trafford is Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.

One of the Premier League’s best midfielders

The English midfielder has been the lone shining light for the West Bridgford club of late. Forest are languishing in 17th place in the Premier League table after 24 games this season, six points head of the drop zone.

Anderson has registered 1,570 passes in the league, the highest among all midfielders in the top tier of English football. The 23 year old is also the midfielder with the most successful short passes (1,272) this season, while only Granit Xhaka, Bruno Fernandes and Dominik Szoboszlai have managed more successful long passes than he has among midfielders in the league.

The Englishman has been a dominant presence in the middle of the park for Forest, winning 194 duels, the most in the top tier of English football. His commanding presence in midfield makes him a fine option for United.

Elliot Anderson Premier League Stats: 2025/26 Season

Source: Premier League website.

However, Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes the Red Devils should target another Premier League midfielder instead of the Forest star.

Merson wants United to sign Adam Wharton

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Merson said: “I’m not sure, I like Elliot Anderson, but I’m not wow-factored over him. I like Elliot Anderson, but they’re fourth bottom of the league, fifth bottom of the league, Forest, so they’re not dominating all midfields, are they?”

“And if you’re a midfield player, that’s where the engine is. Do you know what I mean? I don’t see him running the show in midfield at Nottingham Forest, and we’re talking about Man Utd.”

Merson went on to suggest that Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton would be a better option than Anderson for United, adding: “I would go for Wharton ahead of him.”

Recent reports have suggested that Wharton is also on the Red Devils’ wish list ahead of the summer.

Final Thoughts

Merson’s assessment of Anderson feels a little unfair, especially since he has gone from strength to strength this season. The Forest midfielder is a warrior on the pitch, but also has an eye for a pass, making him a fantastic successor to Casemiro at the Theatre of Dreams.

Featured image Dan Istidene via Getty Images

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