Duel-winning and possession monster tops Man Utd transfer list - he can be their next Roy Keane: opinion
Manchester United are eyeing a move for one of the Premier League's stand-out players - and the statistics highlight just how good he is
The transfer window is now open with Manchester United given the opportunity to add some mid-season signings as they search for more consistency under Ruben Amorim.
Up next for the Red Devils is a trip to Elland Road to face old rivals Leeds United. Amorim’s side drew 1-1 with Wolves earlier this week. The visitors to Old Trafford on Tuesday had lost 16 of their 18 games before playing United, drawing just twice.
The Red Devils do have some key players missing through injury and international commitments with AFCON underway. However, it is clear that reinforcements are still needed at United as they look to get back into Europe this season.
It has been a more encouraging campaign but there is still a lot of room for improvement and one position United are looking to fill is defensive midfield. Several players have been linked including the likes of Carlos Baleba and Conor Gallagher.
According to a report from the Daily Mail earlier this week, Nottingham Forest star Elliott Anderson is at the top of United’s transfer list. However, he is unlikely to be available until the summer while previous indications are that Forest will demand £100m for the former Newcastle United man.
Even though it looks like it could be a difficult deal - it is no surprise that Anderson is being eyed by United.
Anderson has had the most touches of any Premier League player this season - with exactly 1,800 at the time of writing. It highlights his willingness to try and dictate games while also wanting possession as much as possible.
The Premier League website also reveals that he has won the most duels in the division this season - with an impressive 146. That is 14 more than Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk who has the second most.
His style of play and willingness to win and want the ball is akin to United legend Roy Keane. The Irish midfielder played a huge role for the Red Devils during his time there and won the treble with the club in 1999.
The biggest problem for United is that they are not the only club involved in the race for Anderson with Manchester City also linked.
"He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League - that's why he is with us and starting for us,” England boss Thomas Tuchel said of the player previously.
"He deserves it because he has been nothing but impressive. He has to keep on going now though. He is a very complete and mobile midfielder, and that's what he keeps showing me."
He added: "He still has a long career ahead of him and a long way to go. There are no guarantees, especially not publicly, for the World Cup.
“It doesn't help me right now to give predictions or guarantees to my players because it is all about competition at the moment. He is an elite player with the right attitude and a lot of talent. He is fulfilling his role in the best way possible so we are very happy with him."