"Surprised": Andy Mitten speaks on United's chances of signing £80m midfield star

Manchester United are no longer in pole position to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson amid interest from Manchester City, according to reputed journalist Andy Mitten.

The Red Devils are expected to bolster their defensive midfield department at the end of the campaign. Casemiro will formally depart the club when his contract expires on June 30.

United have been linked with plenty of names over the past few months, and Mitten previously said that the Red Devils are ‘well-positioned‘ to sign Anderson from Forest in the summer.

However, his stance has now changed. When asked how ‘well-positioned’ United are at the moment, Mitten said that he would be surprised if Anderson chose the club over Man City.

He told The Athletic: “I would be surprised if he [Elliot Anderson] came. I hope he does come.

“Just the competition for him is so, so strong.

“He is in an extremely good position, where both Manchester clubs want to sign him.

“United have just got to push forward and not put all their hopes in one player.”

United’s managerial uncertainty could be behind Anderson’s stance

Mitten’s first transfer update on Anderson came in November last year, following United’s 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Much has happened since then. United surprisingly parted ways with manager Ruben Amorim after his outburst in a presser after the draw at Leeds United.

Darren Fletcher had a couple of matches as a caretaker before Michael Carrick was placed on interim charge for the remainder of the league campaign.

Under the 44-year-old, United have picked up 23 points from 10 league matches. No side has managed to register more points during the same period of time.

Despite this, the Red Devils have not handed Carrick the permanent managerial role. They are shortlisting candidates before a final decision later this summer.

This could obviously impact their chances of landing Anderson over Man City, who have had a settled head coach in Pep Guardiola at the helm for the last decade.

The Cityzens are already in advanced talks with the player’s representatives, while United are still monitoring his situation amid the absence of a permanent manager.

Anderson, who is widely expected to start for England at the World Cup, may want his future sorted as soon as the season ends before joining his country in North America.

It looks like Man City have a clear advantage over United in the pursuit of the £80 million-rated star, as things stand. The scenario could yet change in the coming weeks.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .