Wayne Rooney is not hiding how he feels about Manchester United losing out on Elliot Anderson. He told his audience straight up: he’s gutted. But he also had something to say to Manchester City, and it wasn’t exactly a congratulations.
United went into the summer window with Anderson as their top target for the attack. The 23-year-old had a strong season at Nottingham Forest despite the team fighting relegation most of the way. He played box to box, contributed at both ends, and showed real versatility in midfield. Forest wanted a British record fee to let him go. City wanted him just as badly. And according to reports, Anderson wanted City.
Last week the deal finally went through. City will pay Forest £116 million flat, no add-ons. Anderson will earn around £300,000 a week at the Etihad. Numbers United simply could not match, even if they wanted to.
Speaking on his show, Rooney acknowledged Anderson’s talent. “He’s a fantastic player,” Rooney said. “I’m gutted Manchester United didn’t get him.” Then he added a warning that might sting City fans just a little. “We’ve seen it when players go for big-money moves. Like Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish to some extent. They don’t fit in.”
It’s a valid point. Big fees and big wages don’t guarantee a player fits the system. City have made plenty of signings that worked. They’ve made a few that didn’t. Rooney is not wrong to remind everyone that Anderson’s success in Manchester is not automatic.
Meanwhile, United has moved on. They recently pulled out of the race for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, leaving Tottenham with a clear path. Spurs are expected to pay £85 million guaranteed for the Portuguese international. United’s midfield shortlist now includes Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace, Aurelien Tchouameni at Real Madrid, and Carlos Baleba at Brighton. None of those deals look close to happening yet.
Anderson will be the headline for now. But the summer is long, and United still has work to do.
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