Manchester United make Forest star their priority | OneFootball

Anderson emerges as a central figure in United’s plans

After spending heavily in the previous transfer window, Manchester United’s hierarchy remain determined to strengthen the midfield. Amorim has placed the recruitment of two central midfielders high on his agenda, and Anderson has quickly risen to prominence within the club’s scouting reports.

The Nottingham Forest man has become one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers over the past year, combining composure in possession with the versatility to play both as a holding midfielder and a box-to-box presence. That flexibility is particularly attractive to Amorim, whose tactical system demands fluidity across the middle of the pitch.

United’s interest in Anderson follows months of internal discussion about the squad’s long-term shape. With Casemiro approaching the final stages of his contract and unlikely to accept a reduced salary, recruitment staff have prioritised a younger, more dynamic profile to anchor the midfield for years to come.

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Competition builds for the Forest star

Anderson, 23, has drawn widespread attention following his breakthrough season with Nottingham Forest and his emergence on the international stage with England. Forest are keen to retain his services but accept that a summer approach from one of the league’s elite clubs could prove difficult to resist.

United’s pursuit is complicated by budgetary constraints and the club’s ongoing financial balancing under INEOS ownership. Brighton’s Carlos Baleba remains another name under serious consideration, though his £100 million valuation may force United to look elsewhere. Anderson, by comparison, represents both value and Premier League experience — an increasingly rare combination in the modern market.

Forest are expected to demand a substantial fee, though insiders suggest any formal offer below £60 million is unlikely to spark serious negotiation. Amorim is said to view Anderson’s energy and transitional play as essential to revitalising United’s midfield unit, particularly alongside a creative partner such as Kobbie Mainoo.

United’s broader recruitment strategy

After addressing attacking needs with the arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko last summer, United’s transfer focus has shifted firmly towards the engine room. Amorim and technical director Jason Wilcox have been clear in their strategy: athleticism, adaptability, and age profile will guide all future signings.

Conor Gallagher, currently with Atlético Madrid, has been monitored as a potential short-term option, especially if he becomes available for a January loan. However, United’s main objective remains securing a long-term solution in Anderson — a player who could bridge the gap between defensive solidity and creative progression.

A defining summer ahead for Amorim’s project

Amorim’s early months in charge have been marked by inconsistency, with United recovering from a poor start to climb back into European contention. Yet the club’s hierarchy view this coming summer as the moment to solidify their vision for the next era.

If United can land Anderson from Nottingham Forest, it would not only strengthen a key position but also signal a commitment to building around British talent capable of growing with the project. With talks expected to intensify in the months ahead, all eyes will turn to Old Trafford to see whether Amorim can secure the midfield general he believes is vital to United’s future success.