Manchester United have already endured the frustration of losing out to their arch-rivals on one of their main midfield targets this summer. Now, the Red Devils have the opportunity to turn the tables and return the favour.

At the beginning of the transfer window, nearly every elite European club had shown some degree of interest in Nottingham Forest’s standout performer, Elliot Anderson. However, the Midlands club’s steep valuation of the 23-year-old narrowed the race down to two — Manchester City and Manchester United.

INEOS had identified Anderson as their top choice to succeed Casemiro in the heart of midfield, after the Brazilian’s contract expired last month. Casemiro is expected to join Inter Miami on a free transfer.

Unfortunately for United, Anderson preferred a move to the Etihad over Old Trafford, despite Pep Guardiola’s departure. Forest’s record-breaking fee demands also exceeded United’s financial limits this summer, unless they opted to focus all resources on a single marquee signing rather than three new midfielders.

Consequently, United withdrew from the race, allowing Manchester City a clear path to the Whitley Bay-born midfielder. Even so, City were forced to pay a club-record £116 million to get the deal over the line.

United then turned their attention to West Ham youngster Mateus Fernandes as a fallback option for Anderson. However, history repeated itself as Tottenham Hotspur swooped in to hijack United’s pursuit of the Portuguese international, finalising an £85 million agreement with West Ham.

In place of both Anderson and Fernandes — with an ambitious move for Aurelien Tchouameni also ruled out — United have opted for a double swoop, signing Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £50 million and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35 million. The combined spend matches Tottenham’s outlay on Fernandes, indicating INEOS’s focus on value-driven signings, even if Fernandes’s potential ceiling remains higher.

Yet one issue persists: United still lack a natural defensive midfielder — a true No.6 to anchor their midfield. Reports suggest a dedicated £150 million budget had been allocated to strengthen the midfield, leaving approximately £65 million available.

However, the pool of players capable of fulfilling that role is shrinking rapidly. If United aim to secure a world-class holding midfielder, they may have to gamble on potential rather than established experience — even if the price tag reflects proven quality.

Fortunately, an ideal candidate is currently excelling at a club with which INEOS share a strong relationship — offering United a chance to strike back at their noisy neighbours in M11.

After an exceptional Ligue 1 campaign with LOSC Lille, Ayyoub Bouaddi’s reputation soared following a brilliant showing at the World Cup, where he played a key role in Morocco’s run to the quarter-finals before being eliminated by France.

In Morocco’s opening Group C fixture, the 18-year-old started in a double pivot alongside Roma’s Neil Yoni El Aynaoui, with Noussair Mazraoui at left-back. The BBC reported that Bouaddi “spent most of his minutes as a holding midfielder,” frequently dropping deep to collect possession and build from the back.

Bouaddi was among the standout performers on a pitch full of elite talent, ending the match with the highest tally of touches and accurate passes for Morocco — a level of consistency he maintained throughout the tournament.

Moroccan football analyst Amine el Amri believes the French-born midfielder could become “one of the best midfielders ever in the game, not just for Morocco.” Bouaddi had previously captained France’s under-21 side before switching allegiance to Morocco only a month before the World Cup began — a testament to his rapid rise.

“He’s incredibly gifted but must stay grounded and focused. You can’t reach the top without hard work. At first glance, he reminds you a lot of Sergio Busquets. He’s tall but not heavily built — unusual for players in the number six or eight role,” said El Amri.

“His greatest strength is composure — both on the ball and when pressing. He commits very few fouls, which is what made Busquets such a complete midfielder.”

Standing at 6’1”, Bouaddi’s height would be a welcome addition at Old Trafford. While Casemiro’s leadership and aerial dominance will be missed, the arrivals of Santos and Tielemans should help compensate in other areas. Still, neither offer the same presence in the air that Casemiro brought to both penalty boxes.

Bouaddi might not be an aerial powerhouse, but his physical stature offers greater defensive solidity compared to the smaller profiles of Santos, Tielemans, or Kobbie Mainoo. He also boasts better mobility than Tielemans or Mainoo, coupled with sharp anticipation and timing in his tackles.

In possession, the Moroccan excels under pressure, capable of turning swiftly to bypass opposing presses. His short passing is crisp, although his long distribution still requires improvement. Partnering with Tielemans would provide the perfect mentorship, allowing Bouaddi to refine his game while gaining Premier League experience.

The long-term pairing of Bouaddi and Mainoo could make United’s midfield one of the most admired in Europe, yet Bouaddi’s recent displays in North America suggest he’s ready to make an immediate impact.

According to journalist David Ornstein, Manchester City are aggressively pursuing Bouaddi, with Manchester United having also “been in contact” with his representatives over the past year. Arsenal are believed to be monitoring the situation as well.

Bouaddi is expected to decide his future soon, with Lille chairman Olivier Létang referencing the record Premier League transfers this summer as a pricing benchmark.

“When I see Anderson move to Manchester City for £116m and Tonali to Tottenham for £100m — and neither have the developmental potential Ayyoub possesses — it’s clear he has unique qualities. I have a figure in mind, and we’ll see how things unfold,” said Létang.

Insiders believe a bid of around £85 million could tempt Lille to part ways with Bouaddi — a figure exceeding United’s remaining budget but one that could prove a worthwhile investment given his extraordinary potential. INEOS, after all, have a track record of pursuing top young talents from Lille.

With City already boasting Rodri, Mateo Kovacic, Nico Gonzalez, and Tijjani Reijnders — and 19-year-old Sverre Nypen heading out on loan — Bouaddi’s path to regular minutes at the Etihad would be limited.

At Old Trafford, however, Bouaddi would immediately compete for a starting spot under Michael Carrick, joining a youthful core featuring Mainoo and Santos, while learning from experienced figures like Tielemans and Bruno Fernandes. Securing the Moroccan’s signature in a record-breaking move would not only strengthen United’s midfield but also deliver a symbolic victory over their city rivals.