Manchester United believe they can beat City to a blockbuster signing for Carrick.

Manchester United are growing more confident in their pursuit of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, as the battle for his signature with Manchester City intensifies ahead of what promises to be one of the biggest transfer duels of the summer window.

At Old Trafford, there is a quiet but growing belief that they can beat their fierce rivals to one of the most exciting young midfielders in the Premier League. While Manchester City are still widely considered the favourites, United’s recruitment team are reportedly not giving up hope. In fact, they believe the race is far from over.

This transfer story has quickly become one of the defining sagas of the summer, not just because of the player involved, but because of the rivalry between the two Manchester clubs, who once again find themselves chasing the same elite talent.

For Manchester United, the pursuit of Elliot Anderson is about more than just adding another midfielder. It is about rebuilding identity, fixing long-standing weaknesses, and proving that the club can still compete with the very best in England and Europe.

Anderson, just 23 years old, has emerged as one of the standout midfielders in the Premier League after another impressive season with Nottingham Forest. Even though Forest spent much of the campaign battling relegation, Anderson remained one of their most consistent performers, showing maturity, energy, and technical quality beyond his age.

His ability to control the tempo of games, break up opposition attacks, and contribute creatively in midfield has made him one of the most sought-after English players in the market.

Both Manchester United and Manchester City see him as a long-term solution in midfield, someone who can develop into a central figure for the next decade.

United’s interest in Anderson is part of a broader midfield overhaul this summer. The club has already taken a major step forward by securing the signing of Ederson from Atalanta in a deal worth £34 million, plus additional performance-based add-ons.

This signing was seen internally as a key early move in United’s rebuild. However, even though the agreement was reached, the official completion of the transfer has been slightly delayed due to unexpected international duties. Ederson received a late call-up to the Brazil national team for the upcoming World Cup after an injury to another player in the squad.

As a result, his arrival at Old Trafford has been pushed back by a few weeks. Despite the delay, United remain confident that the deal will be completed without complications.

But while Ederson represents a step forward, Elliot Anderson is seen as the real statement signing.

Inside the club, there is a belief that Anderson could become the creative and energetic core of the midfield for years to come. His style of play fits modern football perfectly. He is mobile, intelligent, and comfortable under pressure. He can carry the ball forward, link play between defence and attack, and contribute in both defensive and offensive phases.

In short, he is exactly the type of midfielder top Premier League clubs are now fighting for.

However, Manchester City are not making this easy.

Pep Guardiola’s side are also strong admirers of Anderson and are believed to have been tracking him for months. City’s recruitment system has identified him as a potential successor in their evolving midfield structure, especially as some of their current stars approach different stages of their careers.

Reports suggest that City are currently ahead in the race. Some even believe that Anderson himself may be leaning towards a move to the Etihad, where he could continue his development under Guardiola’s tactical system, which has helped turn many talented midfielders into world-class players.

City’s financial power also gives them an advantage. It has been reported that they recently had an £80 million bid rejected by Nottingham Forest, who are holding out for a fee closer to £100 million to £120 million. Forest are in a strong negotiating position and have no intention of selling their prized asset cheaply.

They know the level of interest surrounding Anderson, and they are prepared to wait for the right offer.

Despite this, Manchester United are refusing to step away from the battle.

According to reports from The Guardian, United remain confident that they can still persuade Anderson to choose Old Trafford over the Etihad. The belief inside the club is that the player is not fully committed to City’s project and could be convinced by the vision being presented at United.

That vision is centred around rebuilding the club into a competitive force again, giving young players key roles, and creating a long-term project that can challenge for titles.

United officials reportedly believe that Anderson would not just be joining a club, but stepping into a central role in a rebuilding era where he could become a key figure in midfield for many years.

This is one of the main arguments United are using in their pursuit.

Another major factor in this transfer battle is salary expectations. Elliot Anderson currently earns around £100,000 per week at Nottingham Forest, which already reflects his growing importance in the Premier League.

However, if he moves to either Manchester United or Manchester City, he is expected to receive a significant pay rise. Reports suggest that he is guaranteed at least a 50% increase in wages, regardless of which Manchester club wins the race.

That would take his salary to around £150,000 per week or more, depending on negotiations and performance-related bonuses.

Manchester United, despite ongoing efforts to control their wage structure, are reportedly willing to meet Anderson’s demands. Under the leadership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the club’s football operations team, United have been trying to reduce financial waste and bring more discipline to their wage bill.

However, they are also aware that top-level players in today’s market demand competitive salaries. In Anderson’s case, they are prepared to make an exception if it means securing a player they see as crucial to the future.

Manchester City are in a similar position. While they are financially strong, they are also careful with wage structures and long-term squad planning. But they are equally ready to offer a competitive package if it helps secure Anderson’s signature.

This creates a classic transfer battle scenario: two wealthy clubs, one highly rated player, and a selling club in no rush to accept the first offer.

Behind Anderson’s rising value is his outstanding season at Nottingham Forest. Despite his team struggling near the bottom of the table for much of the campaign, Anderson consistently stood out as one of the most reliable and influential players on the pitch.

He showed remarkable composure in difficult matches, often carrying the midfield under pressure and helping Forest stay competitive in key fixtures. His performances did not go unnoticed, and soon top clubs across England began monitoring his progress.

Scouts were particularly impressed by his ability to adapt to different game situations. In some matches, he played a deeper role, focusing on defensive stability. In others, he pushed forward, acting almost like a second playmaker.

This versatility is one of the main reasons both Manchester clubs value him so highly.

For Manchester United, this transfer is also symbolic. The club has been trying to close the gap with Manchester City for years, but has often fallen short in the transfer market as well as on the pitch. Winning a direct transfer battle against City would send a strong message that United are once again serious competitors.

It would also represent a shift in momentum in the Manchester rivalry.

However, the reality remains that Manchester City are currently seen as favourites. Their recent success, stable structure under Guardiola’s legacy, and ability to develop players into elite performers give them a strong advantage in most transfer situations.

Still, United are not giving up.

They believe that persuasion, opportunity, and long-term vision can sometimes be more powerful than immediate success. Anderson would not just be joining a winning machine at City — he could also become a central figure in a rebuilding Manchester United team where his importance would be immediately felt.

This decision may eventually come down to what the player values most: guaranteed trophies and stability at City, or a leading role and long-term project at United.

Meanwhile, there are also alternative options being considered at Old Trafford. One such name is West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes. The Portuguese international is admired by United scouts, but West Ham are reportedly demanding around £80 million for his services.

However, given West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League, there is growing doubt that they will be able to hold out for such a high valuation.

For now, though, Elliot Anderson remains the primary target.

As the summer transfer window develops, this battle between Manchester United and Manchester City is expected to intensify further. Negotiations with Nottingham Forest will continue, and both clubs are likely to adjust their offers depending on how discussions progress.

At the centre of it all is a young midfielder whose future could shape the next era of English football.

And while City may currently lead the race, Manchester United are still standing firm, believing that the final outcome is far from decided.

In a transfer window already full of drama, Elliot Anderson’s future is quickly becoming one of the biggest stories — and the battle between the two Manchester giants is only just beginning.