Wilcox driving move to sign a bigger English star than Anderson for Man Utd

If it was to be an Old Trafford audition, Elliot Anderson passed it with flying colours on Sunday afternoon, with the leading Manchester United target looking his typically impressive self at the heart of the Nottingham Forest midfield.

It was the Englishman’s wicked cross from the right flank which teed up Morato for Forest’s equaliser, while he again whipped the ball into the area to tee up compatriot and fellow World Cup hopeful, Morgan Gibbs-White, to make it 3-2.

Those two moments of magic highlighted a further string to the 23-year-old’s bow, a fitting performance on a day in which United waved farewell to their current midfield star, Casemiro.

Did the Brazilian’s emotional, raucous send-off sway Anderson at all regarding his future destination? Or will the Geordie join rivals Manchester City as expected this summer?

Either way, the Red Devils should not let this summer be defined by their interest in him, with there plenty of other priorities to sort too.

Wilcox leading Man Utd move to sign £70m Premier League star

Anderson was serenaded by United fans outside the Theatre of Dreams at the weekend, while there was also a brief word with Bruno Fernandes at full-time.

It was difficult to see even a flicker of emotion, or a wink or a knowing glance from the ex-Newcastle United man, however, having given little indication that he will be playing under Michael Carrick next season.

A mooted £120m asking price may also prove prohibitive for Jason Wilcox and co, regardless, particularly with other areas of the squad in need of reinforcement, be it left-wing or at left-back.

In pursuit of a successor for Luke Shaw in that latter role, talkSPORT have reported that Wilcox is leading United’s interest in Newcastle starlet, Lewis Hall, amid uncertainty over the youngster’s future at St James’ Park.

As per the report, Wilcox is a ‘big admirer’ of the 21-year-old, with the Magpies potentially facing a real fight to keep hold of him, as they are with regard to both Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.

Reports elsewhere have indicated that Hall – set to join Anderson in Thomas Tuchel’s squad this summer – could fetch around £70m, having cost the Tynesiders an initial £28m back in 2024.

Why Hall could be an even bigger talent than Anderson

As was evident in Sunday’s meeting with Forest, Anderson is enjoying a fine season at the City Ground, emerging as a real figurehead alongside Gibbs-White, while also enjoying his senior England breakthrough during the autumn.

He was part of the Tricky Trees’ chaotic run to the Europa League semi-final, although if there was to be any potential concern over a deal, it would be his lack of true experience at the elite level, both for club and country.

He’s only made two Champions League appearances in his career to date, while having yet to truly be tested in an England shirt, with Kobbie Mainoo the standout young midfield talent at Euro 2024 just two years ago.

To fork out such a mammoth price tag for a player still on the rise would represent a gamble, with the younger Hall potentially a more sure-fire target, considering his big-game prowess of late.

Indeed, the former Chelsea starlet only recently sparkled in Newcastle’s Champions League tussle with Barcelona, hailed as the ‘anti Lamine Yamal’ by Spanish media at the time.

His stellar performance up against arguably Europe’s leading talent saw him tipped to become “one of the best left-backs in the world” by teammate Kieran Trippier, significant praise considering he is still only 21.

Like Anderson, too, his quality has been seen repeatedly against Man United in recent times, with two of his three career goals having come at Old Trafford.

In the meeting back in December, for instance, he was particularly majestic even as the visitors fell to defeat, completing six of his seven attempted dribbles, making 15 passes into the final third and registering 11 ball recoveries.

Injury has impacted his Newcastle journey at times, although Hall has still made 46 appearances in all competitions this season, largely making that left-back spot his own under Eddie Howe.

Where he also potentially has the edge on Anderson is his innate versatility, having regularly featured in central midfield as a teenager at Chelsea, so comfortable on the ball in either role.

With ten Champions League appearances under his belt this season, Hall has showcased what he can do against Europe’s elite, something which Anderson is still yet to prove.

Considering the Newcastle man can feature both as a marauding left-back, or deep-lying midfielder, Wilcox could be onto a winner by bringing him into the fold this summer, potentially as an even bigger priority than signing Anderson.