Man Utd have FOUR rivals for Elliot Anderson as January transfer stance emerges - The Mirror

Manchester United want a new central midfielder with Elliot Anderson among the players they are considering to improve Ruben Amorim's squad at Old Trafford next season

Manchester United will face competition from FOUR Premier League rivals to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. However, the Red Devils are likely to wait until the summer before making a move for the England star.

United are monitoring the situation of the midfielder, whose burgeoning reputation is prompting claims of a £100million valuation. That comes a little over a year on from Anderson joining the Tricky Trees from Newcastle for £35m.

After significant summer transfer business, Ruben Amorim's next transfer priority is adding a central midfielder. The club made approaches for Carlos Baleba and Conor Gallagher in the summer, and Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton and Wolves' Joao Gomes have since been linked.

United are only expected to act upon 'market opportunities' in the winter transfer window. Action over long-term targets is more likely in the summer, with Amorim preparing to turn to the club's academy before splashing the cash on a new central midfielder at the end of the season.

Anderson could prove to be a long-term replacement for Casemiro at Old Trafford, according to the Times. The Brazilian's future is still up in the air with his contract due to expire in the summer. Forest will be unwilling to do business in January.

United could find competition come the summer from both Liverpool and Newcastle, as well as Manchester City and Chelsea - as Mirror Football reported last month. The Magpies are interested in their academy product after selling him to comply with Profit and Sustainability rules.

However, Newcastle's chances of doing a deal are low given the finances involved. Eddie Howe did not want to sell Anderson, while Toon chief Ross Anderson was part of the Forest transfer team that secured a deal.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are also tracking Anderson as a potential addition. The Reds' priority may however be to sign a central defender after missing out on Marc Guehi in the summer. Chelsea and Manchester City are both monitoring Anderson's development and his situation.

United boss Amorim, has not ruled out January activity. The Portuguese coach will be without Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui during the Africa Cup of Nations.

"Of course, we are going to have a problem there [with AFCON]," Amorim said. "But we already knew.

"Then you can prepare that in the summer, but then you have a lot of players in the summer who are not going to play because it's one game per week. So the management of that situation is going to be hard.

"But let's see when the window is open, if we can improve the team and try to prepare something that happened. Until then, we have to take the chance."

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