Elliot Anderson’s Man United audition went perfectly but rival Premier League midfielder is more realistic

Manchester United’s recent first-hand look at summer target Elliot Anderson may be as close as they get to the sought-after midfielder.

The Nottingham Forest star was in inspired form despite his side slipping to a 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday.

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The 23-year-old laid on two superb assists on what may be viewed as an Old Trafford audition.

While the Tricky Trees may be resigned to losing the England international, they are unlikely to make it a straight-forward path for prospective suitors.

Manchester City are another club in the mix for Anderson as their midfield regeneration continues with Bernardo Silva set to leave this summer.

United are hoping to bolster their midfield options themselves with Casemiro exiting the club and the future of captain Bruno Fernandes unclear.

Figures of £100million have been mooted as a potential transfer fee for the former Newcastle academy graduate, and that could spell the end for United’s interest before an approach for the player was even made.

Keeping their options open

And with that being said, talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook believes the Red Devils would be better suited turning their attention to Newcastle’s wantaway Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali.

“He (Tonali) wants out of Newcastle he’s wanted out since January, that’s why we had that story come out on Transfer deadline day that he’d been offered to Arsenal,” Crook told talkSPORT’s dedicated Manchester United show, Inside Devils.

“He is one of the names on United’s list. I think he’d be cheaper than many of those names on their list, certainly cheaper than Elliot Anderson.

“It remains to be seen what happens with that one.”

Crook later heaped praise on Anderson and in particular, his impressive display at Old Trafford last weekend, while also lauding the performance of one of his Forest teammates.

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“As job auditions go, Anderson couldn’t have done a lot more could he?” Crook added.

“Great midfield performance, two great assists. The first one was a peach of a cross and the second on a plate for Morgan Gibbs-White – who would also be a genuine target if Bruno [Fernandes] did leave the club.

“You look at his (Gibbs-White’s) numbers this season, he’s been the best English No.10 in the Premier League.

“He’ll be really unlucky if he doesn’t get a place on the plane for the World Cup.

“Anderson would be the dream target but I think United are aware there is strong interest from Manchester City.

“It doesn’t mean they won’t try and with uncertainty around Pep Guardiola, who knows there might be a window to nip in.

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“I think we all expect that Guardiola could leave at the end of the season and maybe Elliot Anderson will see United as a more stable club with that in mind.”

Anderson’s signing is not out of the question

Co-host Angelina Kelly was a little more optimistic over a summer arrival at Old Trafford for Anderson and pointed to City’s past history of respecting their transfer fee threshold.

She said:” I understand what people are saying about the price tag and Forest are going to want a bidding war.

“When it comes to Manchester City, they have walked away from big deals before when the price has got a bit too much.

“You think about someone like Declan Rice for example, maybe even Harry Maguire in the past.”