Anderson explodes, Forest draws Man Utd 2-2; surpasses Baleba
Elliot Anderson was Nottingham Forest's mainstay in the 2-2 draw with Man Utd: most touches and accurate passes in the team, 3 chances created, 100% tackle wins; rumored price tag of £100m.
The 2-2 draw with Man Utd saw Elliot Anderson play his best game of the season for Nottingham Forest: he had the most touches and the highest passing accuracy in the team, taking the initiative in midfield and constantly forcing opponents into defensive positions. Just a week after Carlos Baleba faded at Old Trafford, Anderson provided a stark contrast and immediately made waves in the discussion about Man Utd's plans to strengthen their midfield by 2026.
Elliot Anderson's outstanding statistics against Man Utd
The numbers sum up Anderson's all-rounder – solid off the ball and creative on it:
| Index | Value |
|---|---|
| Winning tackle | 100% |
| Pass into the final third | 15 |
| Ball recovery | 14 |
| Opportunities created | 3 |
| Fouled | 3 |
| Through successful people | 2/2 |
With his physical foundation and high ball handling tempo, Anderson showed the ability to progress the ball, connect the midfield and the front line and help Forest escape the pressing. It was this dynamism that helped Forest cause trouble for the Old Trafford team many times.
Tactical role: midfield leader
Without the need for flashy moves, Anderson opts for control and distribution: controlling the tempo, opening up the pitch at the right time, penetrating the final third with long passes – which is why he leads the team in touches and passing accuracy. On the other hand, 100% tackles won and 14 recoveries show his ability to defend proactively and read situations early.
From this 90 minutes, Anderson embodied the modern midfielder: a versatile player, balancing between breaking up play and creating an attacking platform. What he did was the perfect answer to the strict measuring stick at Old Trafford.
Versus Baleba: a week's comparison
Last week, Carlos Baleba was disappointing. Now, Anderson has turned the tables: “This game shows that Anderson is the player they wanted us to believe Baleba would be,” one fan commented. That contrast makes Anderson’s name stand out in the discussion about midfield options.
Man Utd fans react
Social media recorded a wave of praise for Anderson after the match:
“Get him on the train to Manchester now!”
“Anderson was man of the match. It would be crazy if Man Utd didn’t go for him next summer.”
“Anderson was the difference for Forest today, appearing everywhere. We should definitely keep an eye on him.”
“Elliot Anderson is fantastic... he is a complete midfielder... he can suit any coaching philosophy, he is English and he is particularly good in the holding midfield position – which is very rare these days.”
Transfer impact: 2026 plan and the £100m problem
Man Utd are planning to strengthen their midfield by 2026, with Anderson one of the names being monitored alongside Baleba and Adam Wharton. All three come with high prices; some sources value Anderson at around £100m. According to TEAMtalk, he wants to develop at a more ambitious club but is unlikely to leave Nottingham Forest in January due to his price tag.
Man Utd are not the only team interested, and Anderson is not the only target for the midfield. However, after 90 minutes against Man Utd, the prospect of Anderson wearing the "Red Devils" shirt at Old Trafford appeared densely in the imagination of many fans.
