Forget Tonali: Ferdinand tells Man Utd to sign 23yo superstar, would be dream partner for Mainoo

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has urged the club to break the bank for Elliot Anderson.

It is no secret that the Red Devils are prioritising a major midfield signing as part of their summer rebuild.

Apart from Anderson, Carlos Baleba, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali are also heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford.

Ferdinand has now made his stance crystal clear, revealing his undisputed top choice for the role.

He said (via Rio Ferdinand Presents): “It is Elliot Anderson, he is 23, Guimaraes is 28, Tonali is 25, soon to be 26, so that counts for a lot for me. I want young hungry players in my squad.

“He complements Mainoo, because I think Kobbie is going to be one of the main players in the team now, going to build around him and I think Elliot Anderson absolutely complements him.

“They are different, Anderson has that mobility, that energy to get around the park, aggressive, we need those legs and he wins the ball. He is more competitive than the other two.”

Anderson would be a statement signing

The Nottingham Forest midfielder has rapidly emerged as one of the most sought-after talents in European football.

The 23-year-old is attracting transfer interest from several elite clubs, including Manchester City.

A high-stakes transfer battle between the two Manchester giants now appears increasingly inevitable.

Tonali has enjoyed a solid 2025-26 season at Newcastle United. However, statistics show that Anderson has clearly outperformed him.

United remain fully committed to Kobbie Mainoo as a cornerstone of their midfield rebuild, viewing him as a future elite number eight.

Anderson could operate slightly deeper, controlling the tempo while allowing Mainoo greater freedom to influence the game higher up the pitch.

The former Newcastle starlet is a workhorse and will bring dynamism to United’s midfield.

Casemiro is set to leave after his contract expires at the end of June.

Anderson would be a dream replacement for United but prising him away will likely require a fee in excess of £100 million.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .