Manchester United are keeping a very close eye on this season’s relegation scrap

While Manchester United might have watched their sensational Premier League purple patch come to an abrupt end last time out, the Reds are clearly relishing life under Michael Carrick’s guidance.

Although the former Middlesbrough boss might have made a shock return to Old Trafford on temporary basis back in January, United remarkably now have their sights set on booking a lucrative Champions League return over the coming months.

Suffering just a single defeat from any of their first eight Premier League appearances since Carrick’s appointment, their former midfielder also appears to be sat in pole position to make his return a permanent one.

With the Old Trafford hierarchy already drawing up plans ahead of the summer transfer window, United are reportedly keeping close tabs on a number of players who are at the heart of their own respective relegation scraps.

Morgan Gibbs-White – Nottingham Forest

Watching Tottenham trigger Morgan Gibss-White’s reported £50million release clause at Nottingham Forest last summer, it appeared that the England international was on his way to the white half of north London.

However, eventually staying put at the City Ground under controversial circumstances, the former Wolves starlet has only further underlined his status as Forest’s ultimate poster boy.

Expected to be part of Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad this summer, the 26-year-old has enjoyed a sensational run of form over the past month and has more than a leading role to play in Forest’s charge for top-flight safety.

Along with registering consecutive Premier League goals, Gibbs-White has also registered four direct goal contributions in as many appearances across all competitions (three goals, one assist).

Likewise, recording eight Premier League goals this season, Forest’s playmaking talisman has also registered five more top-flight strikes than any other player at the City Ground.

With the Forest hierarchy knowing that it will be inevitable that they lose their talismanic skipper should they sacrifice their Premier League status come May, The Daily Mail are reporting that Gibbs-White is firmly on United’s radar this summer.

🚨 NEW: Manchester United have joined the Premier League clubs monitoring Morgan Gibbs-White’s situation at Nottingham Forest. #MUFC [@ChrisWheelerDM, @NathSalt1] pic.twitter.com/akPy71uwNt
— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) February 24, 2026

Elliot Anderson – Nottingham Forest

While Gibbs-White might be spearheading Forest’s charge for Premier League safety in the final third, he is not the only England international who finds his stock at a red-hot high.

Although Elliot Anderson might have been heartbroken after being forced out of boyhood club Newcastle back in the summer of 2024, the 23-year-old has enjoyed a real rise to superstardom.

Now widely regarded as one of Europe’s hottest midfield starlets, Anderson is also expected to partner Declan Rice at the heart of England’s midfield at this summer’s World Cup over in North America.

Featuring in all 29 of Forest’s Premier League appearances this season, the former Newcastle youngster has been linked with a string of English heavyweights and will certainly not be short of options this summer.

Following Gibbs-White in getting on the scoresheet during Forest’s dramatic 2-2 stalemate away at Manchester City last week, it has been suggested that club owner Vangelis Marinakis values his midfield talisman in excess of £100million.

With Brazilian superstar Casemiro already announcing that he will be leaving Old Trafford at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, The Athletic reported over the festive period that Anderson is firmly United’s dream replacement for the ex-Real Madrid ace.

In midfield, Elliot Anderson is Manchester United’s first-choice target, but as reported in The Athletic, Nottingham Forest have no intention of selling yet and should that stance change this summer, there is bound to be competition from elsewhere.
✍️ @mjcritchley &… pic.twitter.com/PK2ezLtsxW
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) December 26, 2025

Mateus Fernandes – West Ham

While West Ham might have shown some real signs of a fight over the past month as they breathed life back into their charge for Premier League safety, the Hammers still find themselves sat in the drop zone.

With many still billing Nuno Espirito Santo’s side as the standout bottom-three contender come May, the former Europa Conference League champions are also dealing with some major financial struggles.

Even if West Ham do drag themselves out of trouble and cling to their Premier League status, it has been suggested that Santo will be forced to part ways with some of his first-team stars.

Alongside facing a real battle to keep hold of the red-hot Crysencio Summerville this summer, Mateus Fernandes has certainly impressed in the middle of the park.

Only arriving from Southampton ahead of the 2025/26 campaign following a reported £40million deal, the Portuguese U21 international has been a smash hit in east London.

Offering the Hammers some essential midfield grit, TEAMtalk reported last week that Fernandes has plenty of admirers at Old Trafford and is considered as a viable alternative should they fail to bring in Anderson.