There I was, deep into a Football Manager 2026 save, staring at my Manchester United midfield like a bloke who’d just found a fiver in an old coat – a glimmer of joy but mostly panic. Casemiro, at 33, was banging them in for me (three goals in 11 league games – not too shabby!), but his legs were starting to go. The contract situation? Expiring in June 2026. I needed a long-term solution, someone who could walk into Old Trafford and own the gaffer’s system. Then I flicked over to my real-world news feed and saw the buzz: United ‘would love’ to sign Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson. I almost spat out my tea. Finally, a rumour that made both my virtual and actual football brain do a little fist pump.

Now, for the uninitiated, Anderson’s been nothing short of a revelation. The lad, who joined Forest from Newcastle in 2024, has gone from promising talent to ‘elite’ midfielder faster than you can say “bosh, job done”. By 2026, he’s a fully-fledged England international, nailed on for the World Cup squad, and his value’s shooting up like a cryptocurrency on a good day – we’re talking a potential £100 million next year. Blimey. In my FM save, I’d already shortlisted him, but the real-world chatter makes it clear: Anderson is exactly the type of midfielder Ruben Amorim wants. Andy Mitten, a journo who’s usually bang on the money, described it as a direct message from United to the player. That’s proper intent, that is.

Let’s talk turkey. Casemiro’s been instrumental – a warrior who’s given us a proper spine. But his deal’s running down, and the club are weighing up a reduced-salary extension. That’s all well and good, but even my nan can see we need a younger, dynamic presence who can press like a terrier and carry the ball. Anderson fits that bill like a glove. His contract at the City Ground runs until 2029, so he won’t come cheap, but you know what they say: you’ve got to spend money to make money – or in this case, to win titles. I’ve already mentally slotted him next to Kobbie Mainoo in my dream XI. That’s a midfield pairing to make grown men weep.

Of course, Anderson isn’t the only name doing the rounds. United have also been eyeing Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, a 21-year-old Cameroonian powerhouse who, according to reports, is ‘very keen’ on a switch after positive chats last summer. In my save, Baleba’s a beast – strong, quick, and a right snip compared to Anderson. But there’s a catch: he’s another defensive-minded option, and I reckon Amorim wants a true box-to-box dynamo. Enter Joao Gomes from Wolves, who could be available for just £44 million in January if Wolves’ form keeps circling the drain. Rock-bottom with no wins in 12 games? That’s a relegation fire sale if I’ve ever seen one. In FM terms, he’s a bargain buy, but Anderson feels like the marquee signing – the one that sends a message to the rest of the league.

From where I’m sitting – controller in one hand, coffee in the other – Anderson is the no-brainer. He’s homegrown, he’s proven, and he’s got that dogged, never-say-die attitude that Old Trafford fans proper lap up. I’ve simulated the next five seasons with him in the squad, and let’s just say my trophy cabinet needs a polish. In reality, the Red Devils will likely face a right royal rumble to land him, especially with Forest in a strong negotiating position. But if the club want to rebolster the squad for the future, stumping up the cash for Anderson is a bet worth taking. As my old FM mentor used to mutter: “Better to regret what you’ve done than what you haven’t.” Come on United, let’s make it happen – my virtual bragging rights depend on it.