MANCHESTER UNITED signed off for the season at Old Trafford with a five-goal thriller against Nottingham Forest — but the real victory could be landing Eliot Anderson for £80million.
Luke Shaw, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were all on target for the Red Devils in what felt like Casemiro’s testimonial.
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Elliot Anderson could replace Casemiro in the Manchester United midfield Credit: Alamy
Bruno Fernandes racked up his record-equalling 20th assist against Forest Credit: Getty
But on the day the club bid farewell to the Brazilian, was it the day Anderson made his live audition for a starting spot in the United midfield next season?
JattvibeSport’s tactical expert Dean Scoggins broke down the 3-2 win for Michael Carrick’s side – and why signing the Forest midfielder is a major priority this summer.
In the latest episode of Tactics Exposed, Dean said: “For me, Elliot Anderson should be the number one target for Manchester United in the summer. They should be all out for him.
“We know Man City are interested in him as well and there will be big clubs all over the world interested.
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“He was absolutely everywhere, with 106 touches at Old Trafford as an away central midfield player. It was a joy to watch.
“Manchester United fans will be thinking, ‘I hope he’s here next year.’
“There was one example where the midfield gets sucked into an area, and Anderson has got four Manchester United players against him and just somehow gets out of that little position and then breaks forward from there.
“His close control in those areas is absolutely magnificent.
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“Are we going to see Bruno Fernanderson at Manchester United?!
“Then he had two assists. He rolls Amad and crosses absolutely superbly for the first.
“Even the assist king Bruno Fernandes will be thinking ‘wow’ after the second as he whips into the hole for Morgan Gibbs-White’s brilliant finish.
“Does he play in the same team as Kobbie Mainoo or do they need a No6 as well? I think they need both, especially with the Champions League.
“But just imagine him and Bruno Fernandes in the same team. If they’ve all of a sudden got Bruno assisting from all around the penalty area, and then they’ve got Elliot Anderson backing up the play and firing the ball in, that front five are going to have an absolute field day.
“The way that Manchester United play, we’re assuming Michael Carrick’s going to be the manager now, suits Elliot Anderson better than City.
“He gave an absolute Rolls-Royce display and if you’ve got that every game at Old Trafford next season, then I think you’re talking about an £80m to £100m player.”
Anderson could make a formidable partnership with Fernandes who was named Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year.
Anderson wriggled himself out of this tight spot
He is a key player to drive forward with the ball
Anderson outmuscled Amad Diallo to set up the first Forest goal
His clever ball in picked out Morgan Gibbs-White
He has now racked up 20 assists to equal the Premier League record and can claim it for himself against Brighton on the final day of the season.
Dean added: “Bruno Fernandes, what a season.
“It is unbelievable from a No10 to be talking about him in that assist lead with Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
“Yes some wanted Declan Rice to get the FWA award but for the season in a team not as good as Arsenal’s, Bruno Fernandes deserves all the plaudits that he’s getting.
“United wouldn’t even have had a chance at the Champions League in the second half of the season had he not been the one carrying it in the first half of the season.
“Carrick’s adapted the system, put him in the position that we kept saying he should be in as the No10 and let him be free to roam.
“If they can get Benjamin Sesko fit, if they can add a left winger to that group as well, and then they can add another player like Anderson in behind it, dare I say, they could be a proper title threat next season.
“They’re not a million miles away.”
Fernandes dropped into the hole and then get surrounded by team-mates
Dean reckons Morgan Gibbs-White – who can play off the left, No10 and deeper – could be a good fit, too, especially with the added workload of the Champions League.
Mbeumo had somewhat of a comedy afternoon with Cunha’s controversial handball goal allowed to stand after his handball.
Dean said: “Tactically, Mbeumo was superb.
“He needs to get fitter to play two times a week or they will need to sign someone else to fill in.
“He was carrying out exactly what Carrick and Steve Holland wanted him to do: come into that right-hand channel, attack them from that side, but you’ve got to drop deep. He did that absolutely brilliantly.
“There’s a brilliant stat where I think they’re the first team in ten or 15 years that three signings have scored more than ten goals in their first season for Manchester United. Mbeumo is part of that with Sesko and Cunha.
“That just shows you that signings take time in the Premier League to bed in and become their best selves.
“For Manchester United to do that in the first season just shows that things can go on and on from there next time.”
