Phil Bardsley has revealed that he and Ryan Giggs attempted to persuade Elliot Anderson to join Manchester United this summer. Anderson, who impressed for England at the World Cup, ultimately signed for rivals Manchester City from Nottingham Forest for £116 million.
Bardsley's account
Bardsley, now assistant manager at Macclesfield FC, said the 23-year-old midfielder was still undecided when they spoke. The former Sunderland star told Casinolyze: “I was in Portugal earlier in the summer playing golf with Ryan Giggs and we saw Anderson on the golf course and had a chat with him to try and persuade him to join United.
“He was still unsure what he wanted to do but north of £100 million for a defensive midfielder like him? If I’m spending that money, I want a player who will add 30-40 goals to my team a season. That’s what I’m looking for at that fee. That’s value for money.”
United's business praised
Bardsley, 41, praised United's transfer activity, highlighting Youri Tielemans' move from Aston Villa. United activated a release clause in the Belgian's contract to bring him to Old Trafford for £35m on a five-year deal. Bardsley also criticized the fees paid by City and Tottenham for Anderson and Sandro Tonali respectively.
He added: “Signing Youri Tielemans for £35m is a great bit of business. I think Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur certainly overpaid for Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali.
“I knew it was getting to a stage with Elliot Anderson where he’d be £100m plus and I just didn’t feel comfortable about going to that sort of price for him as a player. Listen, he’s outstanding. I really like him.
“Compare that sum to what United have paid for Tielemans and it’s a steal. He’s a proven Premier League player, he’s captain of Belgium, he can deliver and he’s won trophies.
“He won the Europa League with Aston Villa last season. He brings an element of calm and real class on the ball too but he’s also not afraid to get stuck into the ugly side of the game too so I think he’s a really good signing, even leaving aside the price but I’ve been really impressed with the deal.”
Other United moves
United have also signed midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea for an initial £48m fee, with add-ons up to £2m, and goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer from Leeds United. Goalkeeper Radek Vitek has left permanently to Middlesbrough, with more departures expected before the September 1 deadline.
Joshua Zirkzee, who has struggled for a starting spot since joining in 2024, has been linked with a loan to Juventus. Academy players Harry Amass, Dan Gore, and Toby Collyer face uncertain futures, with the club reportedly open to loan or permanent moves.
