Man Utd files: Red Devils want quick £100million Elliot Anderson transfer as stars get sick of not playing - The Sun

### Man Utd files: Red Devils want quick £100million Elliot Anderson transfer as stars get sick of not playing

**By Katherine Walsh**, Manchester Club Reporter

**Martin Blackburn**, North West Sports Reporter

**Samuel Luckhurst**, Manchester United Correspondent

BOTH Manchester United and Man City are expected to move quickly for Elliot Anderson.

The rivals fear that Anderson’s price tag could soar even higher if the midfielder impresses at the **World Cup**.

United moved faster than usual to complete the signings of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha at the start of last summer’s window.

It came after years of prolonged transfer sagas that often resulted in overpriced, car-crash signings as deadline day grew closer.

**City** are looking to push forward with their move for the £100million-rated England international ahead of this summer’s World Cup in North America.

Suitors will seek to advance talks before the window opens on June 15, as Anderson is set to be in Dallas preparing for Thomas Tuchel’s first game against Croatia on June 17.

The Blue side of Manchester is currently in pole position for the **Nottingham Forest** midfield general, who is battling a relegation fight at the City Ground.

Newcastle star Sandro Tonali has seven more games to keep his stock up after crashing out of the World Cup qualifiers with Italy.

It is unclear whether Shea Lacey will be in Ireland or at **Old Trafford** playing for the Under-21s in their quarter-final against Real Madrid week.

**United’s U21 coaches will want Lacey in their squad**, but understand that his development with the first team in their County Kildare training camp is a priority.

**JJ Gabriel**, who scored a stunning goal while on England U17 duty this week, is not old enough to play for the U21s.

SunSport understands that **Harry Amass** is unlikely to go back to loan club Norwich again this season.

Amass returned from his loan to be treated by United’s medical team in February, after pulling his hamstring in a training session in Norfolk following his first Norwich game.

United held hope that the left-back could go back to Carrow Road to complete his six-month deal, with both parties against cancelling the arrangement.

But well-placed sources say Amass is expected to stay at United until the end of the season.

United sources claim the full-back, who turned 19 a fortnight ago, is still trying to play for Philippe Clement’s side, and nothing has been ruled out yet.

It is a major blow to Amass, who enjoyed a brilliant five-month loan stint at Sheffield Wednesday before switching to Norwich in January.

Even the United players are cursing this lengthy break between games.

**Benjamin Sesko**, who is not on international duty after he withdrew from the Slovenia squad with a minor issue, complained to a fan it is “too long”.

Sesko is expected to be fit for United’s game against Leeds United at Old Trafford on April 13.

United will play pre-season friendlies in Finland, Sweden, Norway, the **Republic of Ireland** and Poland in July and August.

Excluding the 2020 and 2021 summers where overseas travel was grounded by the Covid-19 pandemic, the last time United spent an entire pre-season on the continent was in 2002.

The team plan to go back and forward to play games against Wrexham in Helsinki on July 18, Rosenborg in Norway on July 24 and **Atletico Madrid** in Stockholm on August 1.

United also face **Paris Saint-Germain** in Gothenburg on August 8, Leeds at Croke Park on August 12 and AC Milan in Wroclaw on August 15.

The club rejected proposals to stage a few friendlies in Asia.

Gaelic football team Armagh abandoned a training camp at Carton House last week after they turned up to find the hotel being prepped for United’s visit.

United are scheduled to arrive at Carton House in County Kildare on Monday for a three-night stay.

With the pitches prepared for association football instead, the Armagh team left the premises without staying overnight.

It has been more than four months since **Matthijs de Ligt** last played due to a back injury and it is doubtful if he will be back before the end of the season.

De Ligt is still aiming to play again this term but, with only seven games left and United’s other centre halves all currently fit, it is a tall order.

The Dutchman is still getting his steps in, despite not training on the grass. He often walks into Hale village, around a mile from his home, most days.

There will be another **Walk For Joe on May 2**, in tribute to the late United youth-teamer Joe Thompson.

Thompson passed away at the age of 36 last April after he was diagnosed with cancer for a third time.

This month’s walk will start at Rochdale, where Thompson grew up and spent the majority of his playing career, and finish at **Old Trafford**.

Rochdale retired Thompson’s ‘15’ squad number and the players’ names were swapped for his on the back of their shirts in the first game after he died.

Although Thompson was released by United at the age of 16, he became a familiar face back at the club through his punditry appearances on MUTV.

Thompson’s only appearance at **Old Trafford** was for the press team in May 2023. He selflessly claimed an assist for this correspondent’s tap-in.

Participants in last year’s annual press vs club match were urged to donate to a relevant charity in his memory