With Michael Carrick unbeaten in six, INEOS considers offloading Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford to fund blockbuster moves for Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White.
Manchester United are reportedly weighing up a revolutionary summer window that could see the club raid Nottingham Forest for their two biggest stars: Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White. To fund this “game-changing” double swoop, United are prepared to sanction a mass exodus, potentially raising £170 million in transfer fees alone.
The logic is simple: Michael Carrick has stabilized the ship with a six-match unbeaten run, but to take the next step into title contention, the recruitment team believes a younger, more durable midfield engine is required.
The ‘Forest Double’: A £160m Investment?
- Elliot Anderson (£100m): Arguably the hottest property in the Premier League right now. Despite whispers of a nine-figure price tag, United see him as the long-term successor to the club’s midfield throne.
- Morgan Gibbs-White (£60m): Following a rebuffed bid from Spurs and a fresh contract at the City Ground, Gibbs-White remains a top target. His arrival would likely signal the end of a legendary era at Old Trafford.
The Great 2026 Clearout: Raising the £170m
To afford the Forest duo without falling foul of PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules), United are expected to facilitate five major exits:
| Player | Target Club/Status | Estimated Fee |
| Rasmus Hojlund | Napoli (Buy-option) | £38m |
| Marcus Rashford | Barcelona (Buy-option) | £26m |
| Bruno Fernandes | Saudi Pro League / Europe | £57m |
| Mason Mount | Domestic Sale | £28m |
| Joshua Zirkzee | European Sale | £21m |
| TOTAL | £170m |
The End of the Bruno Fernandes Era?
Perhaps the most controversial move involves club captain Bruno Fernandes. At 31, and with a £56.6m release clause for clubs outside of England, the Portuguese maestro could be headed for the Saudi Pro League. Selling Fernandes would not only provide a massive fee but also free up “astronomical” wages to accommodate Gibbs-White and Anderson.
The Exit of the ‘Loan Stars’
The bulk of the initial funding will come from Italy and Spain. Rasmus Hojlund is thriving under Antonio Conte at Napoli, while Marcus Rashford has reinvented himself at Barcelona. Both clubs are expected to trigger their permanent purchase options, giving United an immediate £64m boost.
Filepe Junior is a football writer tracking La Liga transfers, covering major signings, squad planning, and player movements across Spanish clubs.
