Manchester United grace Old Trafford for the final time this season on Sunday, taking on an inform Nottingham Forest side who have little to play for.
Both teams are effectively ‘on the beach’ at this stage of the season, as Manchester United have guaranteed Champions League football and need one point to secure third.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, Nottingham Forest have effectively secured their survival this season.
This leaves few stakes on the line for United or Forest this weekend at Old Trafford, outside of ending on a high. But there are stakes for Elliot Anderson.
Elliot Anderson set for his Manchester United audition
Old Trafford will say goodbye to Casemiro on Sunday, as he plays at the Theatre of Dreams for the final time in red.
This makes the need to replace him, and Anderson will be on the same pitch, with a chance to make it impossible not to try and sign him, even with Forest’s £125m transfer demand.
Anderson has the chance to show Old Trafford why he is considered the best option on the market right now for United’s midfield this summer.
Similar to how Matheus Cunha passed his Old Trafford audition late last season, Anderson can do so this year with a top display in front of Michael Carrick, Jason Wilcox, and others with a say in the transfer business this summer.
Anderson is a complicated deal for United to complete, with Manchester City seemingly leading the race for his signature.
However, the deal is far from done, and United could quite easily pay Forest’s ultimate price tag and win the race, although that might not be the best decision.
United won’t want to pay over £100m for a single midfielder, but Anderson could show Ineos why he’s worth it with his performance this weekend.
While it is an Anderson audition, it could also be United’s audition too, as the Old Trafford atmosphere and Carrick’s sweet words could sway the midfielder.
Manchester United should only sign Anderson if Forest drops asking price
While Anderson might prove he’s worth the £125m, this summer, United should be really reluctant to spend so much on one player, especially when two or three could be signed for close to that fee.
Anderson is the best on the market, but for that price, we could instead sign both Carlos Baleba (£70m) and also Mateus Fernandes (£55m).
The Forest midfielder would need to play out of his skin and make United’s midfield look ridiculous in order for Ineos to be convinced he is worth Forest’s asking price.
Of course, he may end up going for cheaper depending on what happens to Morgan Gibbs-White who is also linked with United. Although a fee is likely to be £85m at the very minimum, without a bidding war commencing.
For a deal to have any chance, this Sunday could be decisive.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/0Lv4PwJ