The audacious Man Utd and Nottingham Forest swap deal to sign 'elite' star and keep UCL hopes alive
Man Utd are already working on their shopping list for January, could a creative swap deal help to land one of their top targets.
Manchester United only really started their rebuild under Ruben Amorim in the summer with the priority being clearing the decks.
The infamous “bomb squad” was sent packing, apart from Tyrell Malacia, who has managed to force his way back into Ruben Amorim’s thinking, with the Red Devils boss being given a decent transfer budget to strengthen.
Most of it was spent on the forward line with only Benjamin Sesko yet to hit the heights expected of him, an untimely knee injury won’t help his progress. The next focus for United should be in midfield with one name more prominent than the rest.
Man United should make Elliot Anderson swap deal bid
There are various reports suggesting that United could be set to move for Elliot Anderson in January and ward off what could become a bidding war next summer. Thomas Tuchel has elevated the Nottingham Forest midfielder’s profile by making him a central figure in the England team this season and several clubs are keeping tabs on the former Newcastle United youngster.
One aspect of the pursuit of Anderson is that Forest won’t want to lose such a key player, however, there is an obvious proposal that could help both clubs. United could also benefit financially by signing Anderson, if they pull off an audacious and creative swap deal. The deal that saw Newcastle sell their academy product to Forest raised a few eyebrows, but it was one that benefited both teams.
It might not be a like for like swap in terms of profile, but Kobbie Mainoo is an exact fit positionally and has the aggression and intensity that Sean Dyche loves in a player. Amorim would get a player who could anchor his midfield whilst losing a player who he highly rates, but who has struggled for game time since the Portuguese boss arrived at Old Trafford. With Mainoo rated at £40m, it could then cost United just £30m to land one of the country’s finest talents.
Thomas Tuchel raves about Elliot Anderson
Tuchel is a huge fan of Anderson who is now a certainty to start for England in the World Cup next season, despite the former Chelsea boss claiming that nobody is safe.
"Anderson is a key player for us at the moment," said Tuchel via BBC Sport. "He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League - that's why he is with us and starting for us.
"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 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,” Tuchel said when asked if Anderson was already on the plane.
"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."