£100 Million Price Tag! Guardiola Praises Anderson After Match, Could Man City Hijack United’s Target?

In Premier League Round 18, Nottingham Forest lost 1-2 at home to Manchester City, suffering a second consecutive defeat. Despite the loss, midfielder Elliot Anderson impressed, earning praise from Pep Guardiola in post-match interviews. Notably, the 23-year-old England international has been Manchester United’s top target in the winter transfer window, but City are also reportedly keen.

Previously, TEAMtalk reported that United aim to sign a top-class midfielder in 2026, with Carlos Baleba, Adam Walton, and Elliot Anderson on their shortlist. Transfer expert Fraser Fletcher confirmed Anderson is now United’s “number one midfield target.” However, Nottingham Forest have set a £100 million price tag and are reluctant to let him go. Since joining from Newcastle in 2024, Anderson has developed rapidly into one of the Premier League’s most dynamic midfielders, earning six caps for England.

Against Manchester City, Anderson started as one of Forest’s double pivots, controlling the midfield rhythm throughout. Facing City’s midfield stars, he excelled in physical duels and coverage. According to WhoScored, Anderson completed 84 touches, 2 key passes, 4 tackles, 3 interceptions, 15 duels won 10, and topped the team with a rating of 7.4.

After the match, Guardiola said: “All Nottingham Forest players are fast and skilled. Anderson is such a brilliant player! They are a top-class team.” Local media Nottingham Live awarded him 8.5: “The midfield magician is back at his peak, tireless throughout the game.”

Guardiola’s praise has unsettled United fans. In the winter window, City previously hijacked United in the Simone signing. Will Anderson be the next target to slip away? At 23, he is seen as a blend of Declan Rice in his West Ham days and Alexis Mac Allister at Brighton, with full potential to become a Premier League elite midfielder. Whoever secures him will significantly strengthen their midfield.