Vitor Pereira says 'everything can happen' on Elliot Anderson

Vitor Pereira said on Sunday that “everything can happen” when he was asked about Elliot Anderson’s future after Nottingham Forest lost 3-2 to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Goal, citing Pereira’s post-match comments, reported that the Forest manager did not rule out a summer exit for the midfielder. Anderson’s display in Manchester added to the attention around him after he assisted both of Forest’s goals in the Premier League match. (goal.com) The 23-year-old midfielder has become a focus of transfer coverage ahead of the summer window, with Goal and other outlets linking him to Manchester United and Manchester City. (goal.com) No club involved had announced a deal as of Monday, May 18. Anderson remains a Nottingham Forest player under the five-year contract he signed when he joined from Newcastle United in July 2024, according to the Premier League. ### What exactly did Pereira say after the match? Vitor Pereira told reporters after Sunday’s defeat that “everything can happen” when asked about the possibility of Anderson leaving in the summer, according to Goal’s account of the exchange. The report said Pereira also indicated Forest would try to keep the midfielder despite the growing interest around him. (goal.com) Sunday’s comments came immediately after a match in which Anderson was one of Forest’s most productive players. His two assists against United gave Pereira’s remarks extra weight because they followed a high-profile performance against one of the clubs being linked with him. ### Why did Anderson draw so much attention at Old Trafford? Old Trafford was the setting for Anderson’s latest standout game on May 17. (goal.com) FBref’s match report shows he assisted Morato’s equalizer in the 53rd minute and Morgan Gibbs-White’s goal in the 78th as Forest pushed United late in a 3-2 defeat. Sky Sports reported that Bruno Fernandes’ record-equalling 20th assist helped United secure third place, but Forest stayed in the game through the chances Anderson created from wide and central areas. The match put Anderson in front of a large audience on a day when transfer talk around him was already part of the buildup. (goal.com) ### What is the basis for the transfer links? Goal reported on May 17 that Anderson was at the center of a contest involving Manchester United and Manchester City. The user-provided FootballTransfers context also said Manchester United and other clubs had shown significant summer interest, though those reports cited unnamed sources rather than official club statements. (skysports.com) No filing, club statement or league release reviewed on Monday confirmed a bid, an asking price or formal talks. (fbref.com) That leaves Pereira’s quote and the media reporting as the clearest public markers so far of the story’s status. ### What do Anderson’s season numbers show? Premier League statistics list Anderson with 37 appearances, four goals and four assists in the 2025-26 league season. (skysports.com) The league’s data also shows 3,269 minutes played and an 85% pass completion rate, numbers that help explain why he has become one of Forest’s most discussed players. At 23, Anderson is also established enough to attract interest while still being early in his career. England Football’s profile says he switched international allegiance from Scotland’s youth setup and has since become part of the England senior picture. (goal.com) ### What position are Nottingham Forest in if interest becomes formal? Nottingham Forest signed Anderson from Newcastle United in July 2024 on a five-year deal, the Premier League said at the time. That contract structure gives Forest a measure of control if clubs move from interest to offers during the next window. (goal.com) Transfermarkt, which tracks player registrations and contract dates, lists Anderson’s deal as running until June 30, 2029. Forest therefore do not face an immediate contract deadline as the summer market approaches. ### What comes next in this story? (premierleague.com) May 18 is the point at which the story remains in the reporting stage rather than the transaction stage. The next concrete developments would be an official bid, a club statement from Nottingham Forest, Manchester United or another suitor, or further comments from Pereira or Anderson himself. (englandfootball.com) The summer transfer window is the next formal checkpoint for Anderson’s future. Until then, Forest’s remaining public updates are likely to come through post-match media duties, club channels and any transfer announcements filed by the clubs involved. (premierleague.com) (goal.com) (transfermarkt.co.uk)