Nicky Butt has spoken on Manchester United target Elliot Anderson, and claimed that the midfielder would need to answer one question before a move can come to fruition.
During the summer transfer window, it was suspected that Manchester United would pursue a new midfielder to partner their captain, Bruno Fernandes, although this wasn’t to be.
A pivotal part of Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system is his midfield pivot, which is currently occupied by Fernandes and Casemiro, who have both been crucial to the Reds’ recent Premier League success.
Despite their five-game unbeaten streak with this midfield pairing, United are still being linked with a host of different midfielders ahead of the January transfer window.
One of the midfielders being strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford is Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, who has recently broken into Thomas Tuchel’s England set-up.
Butt’s question for Anderson
Speaking on the United-linked midfielder, Nicky Butt claimed that, in order to earn a move to Old Trafford, Anderson needs to prove that he is better than what the Reds currently have at their disposal.
Butt said on ‘The Good, The Bad & The Football’ podcast, via United in Focus, “I think it’s what the board and the manager want from a player to get where you want to be.”
“They need a lot more than just that. But is he better than the ones you got in now? And that’s what always should be. You should always get players [who] are better than what you got in the building.
“And looking at what you’re doing now, for me, is [that] he looks like a potentially a top, top player.”
Scholes’ verdict on Anderson
Speaking alongside Butt was United legend Paul Scholes, who made an interesting claim that Anderson is actually better suited to a more advanced role.
Scholes said, “Elliot Anderson’s a really good player,” he said. “Look, I think they need a bit more than Anderson to get to where they want to be to be challenging. But no, I think he’s a really good player.”
“When he was at Newcastle, I thought he was a good player. I thought he’s more of an attacking midfielder. I didn’t see him in this role that he’s playing for England as a No 6, they call it these days, but no, he looks a really good player.
“I think he’s athletic enough as well, and yeah, I think he’d be a really good signing.”
If the 50-year-old is to be right in his verdict, then this could see Anderson join United to compete for Fernandes’ role, as opposed to partnering alongside him, which would be an interesting turn of events.
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