The Nottingham Forest midfielder could have a huge decision to make in 2026 — and only one club offers a clear path.
Elliot Anderson has quickly become one of the most sought-after midfielders in the Premier League. His impressive rise at Nottingham Forest, capped by an England debut in September, has caught the attention of several major clubs — with Manchester United leading the chase after their failed bid for Carlos Baleba in the summer.
Rúben Amorim is expected to reshape United’s midfield in 2026, and Anderson is seen as the primary target for that overhaul. With uncertainties surrounding the futures of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, the path to a major role at Old Trafford is wide open. But reports now suggest Anderson may have a choice to make between United and Manchester City.
Why Anderson must snub Man City for United
As Anderson continues to impress, it’s no surprise that other elite clubs are entering the race. According to the Daily Mail, Manchester City plan to make the 23-year-old one of their top targets next summer, with Pep Guardiola and sporting director Hugo Viana both admiring his versatility as a No. 6 or No. 8.
But signing for City comes with a glaring risk: breaking into their midfield is notoriously difficult. Kalvin Phillips is the clearest example — a standout under Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds, but unable to find a role under Guardiola and now on loan at Ipswich Town. And with Rodri returning from injury, City will once again have a stacked midfield featuring Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic, Tijjani Reijnders, Oscar Bobb, Ryan Cherki and Nico Gonzalez. For Anderson, minutes would be far from guaranteed.
At United, the story is very different. Anderson is their No. 1 target for 2026, and with Casemiro’s contract winding down — plus ongoing speculation about Bruno Fernandes’ future — a natural opening exists. If Anderson wants to secure a starting role and continue his upward trajectory, Old Trafford is clearly the better fit.
Anderson could join a long list of players who chose United over City
Should Anderson pick United, he would follow a familiar path. Several players have rejected moves to City in favour of Old Trafford over the years, including Alexis Sánchez, Fred and Harry Maguire. Maguire remains part of the current squad and has rebuilt his career under Amorim.
Anderson will be hoping to make an even bigger impact if a move materialises in 2026. For a midfielder entering his prime, the opportunity to become a central figure at Manchester United — rather than fighting for scraps at City — should make the decision an easy one.
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