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Manchester United remain intent on signing Elliot Anderson, with the club\u2019s executives optimistic they can beat Manchester City in the race to acquire the 23-year-old midfielder, who is valued at about \u00a3100m by Nottingham Forest<\/a>.<\/p>\n Jason Wilcox, United\u2019s director of football, is also monitoring Mateus Fernandes as another option to strengthen the midfield department of Michael Carrick\u2019s squad. West Ham are believed to want in the region of \u00a380m for the 21-year-old Portuguese, though this may prove an unrealistic fee.<\/p>\n City are considered favourites to sign Anderson, who is expected to start in England\u2019s opening World Cup match against Croatia on 17 June.<\/p>\n Forest have rejected City\u2019s initial \u00a380m bid for the player, and United believe he can be persuaded to move to Old Trafford.<\/p>\n United have already agreed a \u20ac40.5m (\u00a335m) deal with Atalanta for \u00c9derson<\/a>, the 26-year-old Brazil midfielder, who is expected to be paid approximately \u00a370,000 a week at Old Trafford. Anderson\u2019s salary at Forest is considerably higher at about \u00a3100,000 a week, and he can expect to receive a 50% increase on this regardless of which Manchester club he joins.<\/p>\n Sir Jim Ratcliffe remains intent on trimming costs at United but the club\u2019s co-owner would be prepared to meet Anderson\u2019s wage demands should the former Newcastle United player decide to join United rather than City. Anderson has a contract until June 2029 with Forest but it is widely expected that he will depart this summer.<\/p>\n Fernandes, who is not part of Portugal\u2019s World Cup squad, was paid about \u00a370,000 a week by West Ham but that was cut by 50% after their relegation from the Premier League last month<\/a>, meaning any salary he would receive at United would fit into Ratcliffe\u2019s desired budget.<\/p>\n