Marinakis Will Block Anderson Departure, Warns Sheringham as United Eye Forest Star

Manchester United are being urged to expect serious resistance from Nottingham Forest should they move for Elliot Anderson this summer, with club legend Teddy Sheringham forecasting that chairman Evangelos Marinakis will prove a formidable obstacle to any transfer.

Anderson has been a standout performer for Sean Dyche's side this campaign, featuring in every minute across the 23 games Forest have contested so far. The 23-year-old's workload tells the story: 2,070 minutes played, 192 ball recoveries leading the division by 80, 55 fouls won, and 60 tackles all underscore his importance to a team currently sitting 17th in the table.

Forest are holding firm at a £100 million valuation for the former Newcastle prospect, and United are understood to be among several heavyweight suitors circling. Manchester City have also registered their interest in Anderson, who appears destined for England's 2026 World Cup squad.

The timing of United's potential pursuit is significant. Casemiro is departing at season's end, whilst Bruno Fernandes has been the subject of Saudi Arabian interest, leaving Erik ten Hag's midfield in need of reinforcement.

However, Sheringham has pointed to recent precedent as a cautionary tale. When Tottenham attempted to land Morgan Gibbs-White last summer, Marinakis intervened with legal threats after the club allegedly triggered a £60 million release clause. Forest's legal team raised concerns over an improper approach to the player and potential confidentiality breaches regarding the exit clause. Within a fortnight, Gibbs-White had signed a fresh three-year deal at the City Ground.

"He's a proper player and will be around for a long time," Sheringham told GOAL regarding Anderson. "Getting him out of Nottingham Forest won't be straightforward. The chairman made it clear with Gibbs-White that he wasn't going anywhere, and I'd expect identical treatment for Anderson. They'd sooner hand him a significant pay bump than let him leave."

Former Forest striker Marlon Harewood backed the nine-figure asking price, insisting the midfielder represents genuine value in today's market. "With the sums being thrown around in recent years, he's absolutely worth that fee," Harewood said. "He'll flourish wherever he ends up, but ideally Forest keep him to finish what they're building this season."

Any United approach will need to be meticulously handled if they hope to avoid the Marinakis treatment.