Add as preferred source on Google
The links between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest are growing. Which ones should we take seriously?
Manchester United are looking to strengthen the team this summer, and speculation is growing over potential moves.
For months, speculation has claimed that United are showing strong interest in Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.
But over recent days and weeks, teammates Murillo, Ibrahim Sangare, and Morgan Gibbs-White have all been linked too.
Let’s look into the reports, and break down why a quadruple raid on Nottingham Forest is highly unlikely.
Should Manchester United break the transfer record in summer 2026? Who should we target?
Who has been Manchester United’s best and worst big money signings?
Getty Images Four Forest players linked to United
Elliot Anderson: Multiple reports have linked Elliot Anderson to Manchester United. Fabrizio Romano’s latest YouTube update insists that United would ‘love’ to sign the midfielder. Anderson has been a standout player this season despite Forest’s battle to stay out of the relegation places.
City are also interested in Anderson, and this one could come down to cost, in terms of Forest’s asking price and his salary demands. VERDICT: 10/10
Morgan Gibbs-White: A new report in The Mail claims Manchester United and City are among clubs eyeing Morgan Gibbs-White. Forest turned down a move from Tottenham last year, signing the midfielder to a new extension with a release clause.
It is claimed that Gibbs-White would cost in excess of £60 million. From United’s perspective, he only really feels like a viable option if Bruno Fernandes was to leave, and we expect him to stay put. A luxury we do not need – unless we can swap him out for injury-prone Mason Mount. VERDICT: 5/10
Ibrahim Sangare: It was claimed this week via Give Me Sport that Ibrahim Sangare is being considered as an option by United. He has struck up an impressive partnership with Elliot Anderson, and does a lot of the unseen work that allows the England midfielder to thrive.
I like Sangare, he is a good player, and one I am on record saying we should have signed when he was starring for PSV. But at 28, I doubt this one happens now. Perhaps only if Forest get relegated and there is a firesale. I certainly don’t believe he joins along with Anderson, despite their partnership. Perhaps as an alternative if we miss out and we are scrambling. Romano claims there is nothing active with United. VERDICT: 2/10
Murillo: Nottingham Forest fans are probably pretty annoyed by this point. The Mail claim that United want to sign centre-back Murillo too.
To be fair the Brazilian is an excellent player, a young defender who is picking up valuable experience in the Premier League. But we do not need him right now. I cannot see us dropping £50-60 million on a centre-back this summer. Again, perhaps only if Forest get relegated and they are forced to sell their stars on the cheap. VERDICT: 2/10
You have £100m to spend on a midfielder – who are YOU buying, Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton?
Or is there another realistic player you would sign instead? Let us know who!
Getty Images Forget the rest, focus on Anderson
No serious transfer strategy is built around signing four players from one club.
Manchester United will be exploring far and wide looking at potential signings. Last summer the club signed four players, two from the Premier League, one from Belgium and another from Germany.
Elliot Anderson is the standout name, one who will cost the biggest fee, regardless of whether Forest stay up or not.
He is the only player from this quartet that United should be focusing on.
Nottingham Forest’s owner fiercely resisted interest in Gibbs-White last summer, and prising one player away from him will be hard enough, let alone two, or even four.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox