Manchester United make Elliot Anderson their top midfield target as Carlos Baleba stays high on the list

Manchester United have set Elliot Anderson as their No.1 midfield target for next summer, with Carlos Baleba firmly in the frame as the second piece of a two-man rebuild. Early soundings indicate a fee under £100m for Anderson is realistic, while United admire Baleba’s profile and the player is open to the move. The plan is clear: add athletic ball-carrying thrust and a high-press engine alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes. From what I’m hearing, United are preparing groundwork now so they can move fast at season’s end. This is a fit that makes football and financial sense for the club.

The push comes as United map a summer overhaul in central midfield, targeting two additions to rebalance age profile, mobility and on-ball control. Recruitment focus is on Premier League-proven or Premier League-ready profiles, 21-23 years old, who can press, carry and cover ground. Internal planning is already underway to protect the club from bidding wars by moving early, spreading cost across multi-year contracts under PSR-friendly amortisation. United view Anderson as a high-ceiling left-sided No.8 who can rotate with or complement the current core, while Baleba profiles as a ball-winner with range who can anchor transitions.

🚨 JUST IN: Elliot Anderson is Manchester United’s 1st midfielder target next summer. He is likely to cost less than £100M. Man United are in the market for 2 midfielders. Carlos Baleba is the other big deal in the frame, the club remain keen on him and the player wants to

@UtdXclusive

Impact Analysis

Anderson would change the rhythm of United’s midfield. He is a left-sided No.8 who drives 10-15 yards through pressure, draws fouls and breaks lines with carries rather than hopeful passes. That trait has been missing when opponents compress space against United. His out-of-possession work rate - scanning, second-ball aggression, back-pressing - fits a side that wants to defend forward and spring transitions. Slot him left of a pivot, allow Bruno to float higher, and you immediately see cleaner exits and more controlled entries into the final third.

Baleba brings the other half of the equation. At Brighton he has shown elite recovery pace, a strong first contact in duels and the composure to take the first pass under pressure. He doesn’t just destroy - he resets. In a double pivot with Mainoo, Baleba would handle traffic while Mainoo dictates tempo. In a three, he can sit as the single 6 and let fullbacks invert aggressively.

Financially, a sub-£100m price for Anderson keeps the door open for a second marquee midfield purchase without choking the summer budget. Structuring fixed fees with achievable add-ons and a smart sell-on would meet PSR guidelines. Sporting-wise, the pair raise the floor and the ceiling: fewer chaotic transitions conceded, more controlled territory, and much better platform for the front line. Put simply, this is the most coherent two-player midfield plan United have lined up in years.

Reaction

Social channels lit up within minutes. One fan called Anderson “the face of the league now,” a tongue-in-cheek exaggeration but it captures the hype around his rise. Another response pushed back with “Adam Wharton over everyone,” reflecting the split between fans who want a pure tempo controller and those who crave vertical running power. A common theme keeps popping up: “Baleba and Anderson duo,” followed by icy emojis and talk of a revolution in United’s midfield. That pairing clearly resonates.

There was also a nod to Baleba’s recent message on Instagram: “Don’t try rush what God is taking time to prepare.” Many United fans read it as calm confidence, not a hurry to jump, but a willingness if the project is right. A few neutrals chimed in with off-topic mentions of stars elsewhere, which happens every time a United story lands, but the core sentiment was consistent - add athleticism, add bite, and protect Mainoo.

What stood out most was practicality. Multiple replies debated fee structures, potential sell-ons and how United should stage payments to stay within PSR. That’s where supporters are now - not just names, but how to make the numbers work. The mood: optimistic, impatient, and increasingly convinced that this is the right profile mix.

Social reactions

Elliott Anderson £100M ? Make INEOS no over pay that kind of money

Horlarmi (@Gaflaw_Jr)

A midfield 2 of Anderson and baleba would revolutionize our midfield 🫡

TeamCr7 🐐 (@Raikage33)

They can buy him in January 2026 ,why waiting for so long

Champion John/ (NkosiNathi) (@emmanuelmapamba)

Prediction

Expect a quiet January in terms of these two names, then rapid movement as soon as the season closes. The likely sequence: United validate medical and physical profiles now, agree broad personal terms early, then open club-to-club talks once the window officially starts. For Anderson, his club will ask for a premium. A package that lands just under the £100m mark with performance add-ons - tied to appearances, European qualification and trophies - feels the most realistic route. United will push for a sell-on clause rather than a massive upfront fee.

With Baleba, Brighton typically negotiate hard, so a staggered deal that preserves add-ons and resale upside will be needed. United will lean on the player’s interest and a clear sporting role - early starter minutes, big-stage football - to edge the race. If United secure Anderson first, that momentum can help close Baleba.

Wild-card scenarios: if a late Champions League qualifier courts Baleba, United may accelerate Anderson and pivot to an alternate ball-winner short list. Conversely, if Anderson’s price spikes, United could intensify conversations for Adam Wharton as the tempo-first option. The most probable outcome, based on current signals, is United landing one before pre-season tour and the second before the Premier League opener.

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Conclusion

The plan is coherent and overdue. Anderson answers the question United have asked themselves for two seasons: who can carry us 30 yards when the game is tight and the press is fierce. Baleba answers the other: who can win the ball, keep it, and let our creators play higher. Together they tilt the field in United’s favor.

I’ve seen Anderson live enough to trust the engine is real, not just clips. The way he repeats high-intensity runs late on tells you about habits, not highlights. Baleba’s sample is smaller but persuasive - his first touch under pressure buys him a half second that most midfielders never find in this league.

United still need to close. Fees, structure, timing - those details decide everything. But for once, the names match the needs. If the club executes early and clean, this could be the summer that finally locks the midfield into a modern shape. The path is there. Now it’s about walking it without blinking.