Manchester United shift focus from Elliot Anderson to Mateus Fernandes and Alex Scott

Manchester United have ruled out a bidding war with Manchester City for midfield prospect Elliot Anderson after Nottingham Forest set a £120 million price tag and City’s offer was reported at around £106 million plus add‑ons, which would exceed the British record. The club, which recently completed a £39 million signing of Brazilian midfielder Ederson from Atalanta, says it prefers targets who want to join Old Trafford as much as United want them.

Instead United are concentrating on two more attainable Premier League midfielders – West Ham’s 21‑year‑old Mateus Fernandes, whose club is expected to ask about £85 million, and Bournemouth’s 22‑year‑old Alex Scott, priced around £80 million. David Ornstein noted United’s “admiration for Elliot Anderson well known but not in contention at current financial levels”.