Ancelotti – Odegaard – Anderson feature in Man United roundup

Here is a roundup of the top Manchester United news, gossip and transfer latest from icfootballnews featuring the likes of Martin Odegaard, Carlo Ancelotti and Elliott Anderson that you may have missed…

Manchester City are reportedly closing in on a major summer signing, with Nottingham Forest midfielder and Manchester United target Elliot Anderson widely tipped to join the Premier League champions in what some insiders have described as a “done deal”.

The 23-year-old has emerged as one of the most sought-after midfielders in English football this season after a string of impressive performances for Nottingham Forest. According to multiple reports, Manchester City have been tracking Anderson for months and believe they are now in pole position to secure his signature during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Sources close to the negotiations claim the groundwork for a potential deal has already been laid, with journalist Graeme Bailey stating that “numerous sources” consider the midfielder’s move to the Etihad Stadium essentially agreed in principle, although no official announcement has yet been made.

Forest are expected to demand a significant transfer fee for one of their standout players, with reports suggesting the club could seek around £90 million to sanction a sale. Anderson only joined Forest in 2024 after leaving Newcastle United in a deal worth roughly £35 million, but his rapid development has dramatically increased his value.

The midfielder’s reputation has continued to grow during the 2025–26 campaign. Anderson recently underlined his quality with a stunning equaliser against City at the Etihad Stadium, helping Forest secure a 2–2 draw in the league and drawing admiration from the home club’s hierarchy.

City’s interest is also understood to be part of a broader midfield refresh under manager Pep Guardiola. With uncertainty surrounding the long-term futures of key midfield figures and potential interest in Rodri from European giants, the club are exploring younger options capable of anchoring their midfield for the next decade.

Anderson’s energetic style, pressing ability and technical quality are believed to align closely with Guardiola’s tactical philosophy. His versatility across central midfield roles has also attracted attention from other top clubs, including Manchester United, who had been monitoring his situation.

Despite the mounting speculation, neither City nor Forest have confirmed any agreement, and the final structure of a deal remains unclear. Forest are also battling to secure their Premier League status, a factor that could influence negotiations in the coming months.

For now, the reports suggest that City have moved decisively in the race for Anderson, positioning themselves to secure one of England’s most promising midfielders as part of their next squad rebuild. If completed, the deal would represent one of the headline transfers of the summer window.

ANCELOTTI TIPPED FOR MOVE

Former Tottenham and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has joined Manchester United legend Paul Scholes in suggesting that Carlo Ancelotti would be an ideal next manager for the Red Devils.

Michael Carrick, currently overseeing first-team affairs, has received praise for steadying performances in recent weeks, but questions remain over whether he represents a long-term solution.

Ancelotti, who most recently managed Real Madrid, has long been regarded as one of football’s most accomplished tacticians. His calm demeanour and ability to manage high-profile dressing rooms have seen him succeed in Italy, England, France, Germany and Spain.

And Bale agreed. Speaking on The Overlap, the now-retired forward sang the praises of his former boss, giving an insight into how the 66-year-old operates on a day to day basis.

‘I think he would do great,’ Bale said. ‘He’s not just the manager, he is a coach as well. (But) He can do the tactical stuff.

‘When he was the head coach in his second spell (at Real Madrid), he did a lot more tactically then than we did the first time, but I think we had a better team the first time. Wherever Carlo goes, I think he would do an amazing job, just because he gets everyone on board.

‘If you go into a big club, you’ve got good players, whether they’re performing at the time or not. Like Man United, they have been the last few weeks, but, prior to that, they hadn’t been performing, but they’ve got good players. He’ll get the best out of players and will just simplify things, which you see now with Michael Carrick.

‘He’s simplifying a lot of things that the previous manager was doing, and you’re getting results. So that’s Carlo’s genius, getting the best out of the players and just making it simple.’

The prospect of Ancelotti returning to the Premier League would undoubtedly excite supporters. His previous spell in England demonstrated his ability to adapt to the league’s intensity, and his tactical flexibility could help maximise the potential within Manchester United’s current squad.

However, any move would depend on Ancelotti’s own ambitions and the club’s willingness to make a decisive approach. if Manchester United want to re-establish themselves among Europe’s elite, appointing a manager of Ancelotti’s calibre would be a statement of serious intent.

UNITED TO GET ODEGAARD CHANCE?

Arsenal are reportedly prepared to entertain offers for captain Martin Odegaard in the upcoming summer transfer window amid growing speculation over his future, according to multiple transfer sources, as they seek to balance the books, which could alert Manchester United

The Norway international, who has been a key creative force since joining the Gunners, could be one of several high-profile departures as manager Mikel Arteta looks to reshape his squad.

Recent reports suggest ARSENAL are weighing up a potential sale of Odegaard as part of a plan to help balance the books at the Emirates.

The club has recently spent over £260 million to bring in new players but now has to raise some funds to comply with financial regulations and is having internal discussions over which players could depart

Despite being club captain, the midfielder’s influence in the 2025/26 season has been impacted by fitness problems and fluctuating form, with his goal contribution and creative output dipping compared to previous campaigns.

TalkSport claims that Arsenal could move for a midfield successor such as Declan Rice to take on a leadership role if Odegaard departs, underscoring the club’s readiness to refresh its engine room. Manchester United and Barcelona have been been linked with a move for the midfielder.

This rumour comes amid broader narratives about squad depth and competition for places, with pundits noting that players like Eberechi Eze have made an impact that could shift the creative hierarchy at the Emirates.

Could Man United Really Sign Odegaard?

The Norwegian international, Arsenal’s captain and chief playmaker, remains one of the club’s most influential figures. He signed a long-term contract extension in 2023 that runs until 2028, a deal designed to secure the midfielder at the Emirates during his prime years.

Ødegaard’s market value and global profile mean he could generate a significant transfer windfall if the club decides to cash in.

Manchester United are expected to prioritise creativity in midfield as they reshape their squad ahead of next season. A move for Ødegaard would represent a bold attempt to sign one of the Premier League’s elite playmakers from a direct rival.

While such a transfer remains speculative, Arsenal’s financial situation could turn an unlikely scenario into one of the summer’s biggest stories

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