Manchester United will make a midfield overhaul one of their main priorities this summer, with at least two arrivals expected to cover the space left by Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro. Elliot Anderson is already being pushed forward as one of the leading options, and Ian Wright has now called on United to spend heavily to land him.
Wright’s backing adds more heat to a transfer story that has already gathered pace inside Old Trafford’s rebuild. Anderson, 22, has been described as one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders after a rapid rise at Nottingham Forest, and United are among several clubs tracking him as the window approaches.
The case for Anderson is not coming from one corner alone. Paul Scholes also said the midfielder would be a good signing and listed him alongside Adam Wharton and Sandro Tonali as the three “realistic” options for United this summer. Scholes added that he had a feeling Manchester City might move for Anderson as they prepare for Bernardo Silva’s exit.
That would make the race for Anderson harder for United, who are trying to shape a squad that can handle a different set of demands next season. The club’s summer plan is built around replacing the legs and control they have lacked in midfield, and two new arrivals are expected because the current balance has not been enough.
Scholes, who knows better than most how quickly standards shift at Old Trafford, said the expectation at United needs to be reduced a little. He argued the club should be targeting a domestic cup and a top-three finish rather than talking like title favourites again. “Can we win the FA Cup? Can we win the Carabao Cup? Can we get second or third in the league?” he said.
That tension sits at the heart of United’s summer. They are linked with multiple midfielders because the rebuild is still unfinished, but the names being discussed show how expensive and competitive the market has become. Anderson would not be a simple depth signing. He is now being spoken about as the sort of player who can change the ceiling of the midfield, which is why interest from City would matter so much.
Scholes also pointed to the defensive burden that still hangs over United’s midfield, saying they continue to concede too many chances in too many games. His warning fits the wider picture: United can talk about progress, but the structure still needs work before they can expect the kind of consistency their history demands.
The next step is straightforward. United are expected to keep pushing for midfield additions, and Anderson will remain in the conversation as one of the biggest names on their list. If they decide he is the one, they may have to move quickly — and pay heavily — before another club does it first.
