England boss Thomas Tuchel has already delivered a telling assessment of Elliot Anderson, with the Nottingham Forest midfielder continuing to be linked with a move to Manchester United. The speculation surrounding Anderson and Old Trafford has persisted since last summer and re-emerged during the January transfer window.

United have been in the market for midfield reinforcements for quite some time, with Anderson among a host of names circulating in the rumour mill.

Brighton's Carlos Baleba, Wolves' Joao Gomes and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton have all been mentioned as potential United targets in recent months, alongside Anderson.

Despite making four summer signings, United chose not to strengthen their midfield options. Multiple reports now suggest the Red Devils will seek to address this midfield either before the February 2 deadline or during the summer window.

Whether Anderson would be pursued remains uncertain, with some suggestions that Forest could demand around £100million for the 23-year-old, reports the Manchester Evening News.

A Daily Mail report has shed further light on Anderson's prospects, including Tuchel's assessment of the midfielder, whom he is expected to manage for England at this summer's World Cup.

Tuchel has reportedly described Anderson privately as a "gift", which will be encouraging news for United should they maintain genuine interest in securing the England international's services at Old Trafford. Anderson shone for England's Under-21s last summer in Slovakia, with the Young Lions triumphing over Germany in the Euro Under-21 Championships final.

The Forest talent was instrumental in that decisive victory, and it was precisely that performance which earned him a call-up to Tuchel's senior squad.

"That was the lightbulb moment," a source close to Tuchel told the Daily Mail. "We suddenly realised he was the answer to our problem."

United could face Anderson before the campaign concludes, with the Red Devils set to meet Forest in their second-to-last Premier League fixture in May.

As for Tuchel, the England manager has emerged as a possible contender to take charge at United from next season.

Michael Carrick has been installed as interim head coach until the end of the season, and numerous names have already surfaced as potential permanent appointments for the role, which is understood to include Tuchel.