Manchester United reportedly have a \u2018secret weapon\u2019 as they look to beat Manchester City in the race to sign Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson, while Michael Carrick wants another \u00a3100m-rated England international at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n
The Red Devils have every right to be ambitious in their preparations for the summer window, after interim boss Carrick has put them in a very strong position to secure Champions League qualification.<\/p>\n
Strengthening in midfield was always going to be the priority for Man Utd<\/a>, and Anderson sits at the very top of their transfer shortlist.<\/p>\n Man Utd to use star to win Elliot Anderson race<\/p>\n Man City have been described as favourites to snare the supremely talented Anderson<\/a>, but the race remains open, with Forest hoping for a bidding war and demanding around \u00a3100m for his signature.<\/p>\n Man Utd have no intention of making things easy for their noisy neighbours, and are pulling out all the stops as they look to bring in the 23-year-old.<\/p>\n According to reports, they have a \u2018secret weapon\u2019 as they intend to use Harry Maguire to try and convince Anderson<\/a> to join them over the Cityzens.<\/p>\n They want Maguire to tap up Anderson and to secure his move to Old Trafford, as United players have done on previous occasions.<\/p>\n United have brought in England\u2019s best player at international tournaments in the past, such as Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney, and they are aiming to repeat that trick with Anderson.<\/p>\n Fellow England stars Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw could also urge Anderson to pick United over City.<\/p>\n The report adds that United will have the \u2018financial health to outspend rivals\u2019 this summer following the departures of players such as Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee.<\/p>\n This suggests United will indeed be able to launch a huge bid worth \u00a3100m or more for Anderson, to leave City trailing.<\/p>\n Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google <\/a>to your favourites list for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Carrick eyeing spectacular Morgan Rogers reunion<\/p>\n Meanwhile, TEAMtalk transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, revealed in an update earlier today that Carrick has urged INEOS to bring in Aston Villa superstar Morgan Rogers.<\/a><\/p>\n We understand Carrick has given a \u2018glowing endorsement\u2019 of the 23-year-old England star to director of football Jason Wilcox and wants him at Old Trafford next season.<\/p>\n Carrick \u2013 who is on course to take the Man Utd job on a permanent basis \u2013 knows Rogers well from their time together at Middlesbrough and has made it clear internally that he believes he would be a strong fit for his system.<\/p>\n Rogers signed a new long-term contract in November last year, and sources indicate that no release clause was included \u2013 leaving Villa fully in control of his future and valuation.<\/p>\n Villa\u2019s current record sale remains the \u00a3100million departure of Jack Grealish to Manchester City in 2021, and insiders believe Rogers is now valued at a similar level.<\/p>\n A 20 per cent sell-on clause is also owed to former club Middlesbrough, which further inflates their asking price.<\/p>\n While Villa maintain they are not actively looking to sell, there is an awareness of financial pressures linked to UEFA regulations.<\/p>\n A major outgoing could ease those concerns heading into the summer window, even if it is not the preferred outcome.<\/p>\n Man Utd get another shot at signing Brazil star<\/p>\n In other news, Man Utd are long-term admirers of Atalanta and Brazil midfielder Ederson, and after failing previously with an approach for him, could get another chance to sign him.<\/p>\n The 26-year-old reportedly \u2018turned down several clubs\u2019 \u2013 one of which was Man Utd \u2013 when verbally agreeing personal terms with Atletico Madrid earlier this year.<\/p>\n