Manchester United aims to sign two English stars from Nottingham Forest, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s new wage system might pose an obstacle! Manchester City could outbid them with big money.

English reports indicate that Manchester United is keen on two Nottingham Forest players, defensive midfielder Elliot Anderson and forward Morgan Gibbs-White. Yet, these England internationals are also pursued by Manchester City, and the new pay framework introduced by Sir Jim Ratcliffe could hinder United’s chances.

Nottingham Forest still faces a significant relegation threat this season, having changed managers three times. After 27 rounds, the team sits 17th, only 2 points above the relegation zone occupied by West Ham United and 2 points behind Tottenham Hotspur.

The British Daily Mail reports that Manchester United intends to sign another winger this summer, and 26-year-old Gibbs-White fits the role as both a number 10 and a wide player. Last year, Tottenham offered £60 million for him, but Nottingham Forest rejected the bid and chose to extend his contract, which includes a release clause.

Forest’s wealthy owner Evangelos Marinakis has offered this England international a hefty weekly wage of around £150,000 to persuade him to stay at the City Ground, comparable to the weekly salaries of Manchester United's recent signings Matheus Cunha, Błażej Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko this season.

This means that if Gibbs-White transfers, he will demand higher pay, potentially disrupting Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s newly established wage structure. Manchester United’s efforts to cut wage expenses might put the club at a disadvantage in the summer transfer market, especially since Manchester City is also monitoring Gibbs-White and Anderson.

During the January transfer window, Manchester United competed with Manchester City for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, who ultimately chose to join Guardiola’s team for £65 million.

Although qualifying for the Champions League would boost Manchester United’s finances and increase their transfer budget, and offloading high-earning players would free up salary space, the club remains focused on reducing excessive player wages.

Casemiro, earning £350,000 per week, is confirmed to leave at the end of this season, as is Jadon Sancho, who earns £250,000 weekly. Marcus Rashford, on £325,000 per week, might make a permanent move to Barcelona. Additionally, Manchester United aims to reduce Harry Maguire’s £190,000 weekly wage upon contract renewal.

After these changes, captain Bruno Fernandes’ £300,000 weekly salary will become the highest at the club. Manchester United hopes new signings will earn no more than a base salary of £150,000 per week, with performance bonuses capped at £200,000. This could pose challenges when attracting players who already earn high wages in the Premier League.

Besides Gibbs-White’s weekly wage already reaching £150,000, Nottingham Forest pays Anderson over £100,000 per week. Considering Anderson has supported Manchester City since childhood, United may struggle to lure him if they cannot offer better terms.

Recent rumors suggest that another Nottingham Forest midfielder, Ibrahim Sangaré, is the latest player linked with Manchester United, with the Red Devils reportedly considering him as a potential replacement for Casemiro.

Sangaré joined in 2023 for a £30 million transfer fee. This season, he has started 23 matches across all competitions, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists. His average tackles and interceptions rank third in the Premier League, while his passing accuracy and chances created for Forest rank fourth.

However, Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano states that Manchester United’s interest in the Ivorian midfielder is not true; they remain focused solely on Anderson.

Romano said: "As far as I know, there has been no substantial progress between Manchester United and Sangaré. United truly value Anderson at Forest and are closely monitoring him. Anderson is on United’s recruitment list but not the only option; Tonali is also of interest. The midfield situation at United will depend on the coach, budget, and Champions League qualification. It’s too early to say which players United will sign."