06:00, 02 Dec 2025<\/p>\n
![\"Ruben](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Manchester-City-v-Manchester-United-Premier-League.jpg\")
Pep Guardiola is ready to go to war with Ruben Amorim in the transfer market(Image: Carl Recine, Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Manchester United have returned to winning ways after clinching a crucial 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace<\/a> on Sunday. However, match-winner Mason Mount<\/a> admitted he was taken aback when given the opportunity<\/a> to score the decider at Selhurst Park.<\/p>\n United captain Bruno Fernandes<\/a> made an unexpected decision to set up Mount for the winning strike instead of taking the shot himself. This move even surprised Mount, who later shared his experience of the triumphant moment in south London.<\/p>\n In other news, United have reportedly suffered a significant setback as they’ve learned that City are advancing in their pursuit of United’s top target. MEN Sport<\/strong> provides the latest updates from Old Trafford<\/a> ahead of United’s match against West Ham on Thursday.<\/p>\n United’s priority target favours City<\/p>\n United and City are on course for a transfer battle next year over Elliot Anderson’s signature. This follows reports that City are preparing to intensify their pursuit of the England and Nottingham Forest midfielder.<\/a><\/p>\n Ruben Amorim’s team has been consistently linked with a number of midfielders over the past year or so. After the hype around supposed targets like Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba subsided, Anderson has emerged as United’s alleged top target heading into 2026.<\/p>\n However, the Daily Mail<\/a> has reported City are ramping up their interest to prevent Anderson from being snapped up by other interested parties like United or Liverpool<\/a>. It’s suggested Forest are seeking more than \u00a380million for the player, although a move in January seems highly unlikely.<\/p>\n Newcastle reluctantly sold Anderson to Forest last year to adhere to Premier League<\/a> spending regulations. A little more than one year later, it appears the 23-year-old could potentially triple that fee for his employers.<\/p>\n United might part company with Casemiro when his contract, which includes a 12-month extension clause, expires in the summer. There are also significant doubts about the future of Kobbie Mainoo, whose sale could help United compete with City for Anderson’s signature.<\/p>\n Mount unaware he’d be scoring the Palace winner<\/p>\n Fernandes’ expertise with free-kicks is well-known among fans, but it was the United captain who stepped aside for the vital goal at Palace on Sunday. Rather, he took charge of the situation and watched as Mount delivered when the team needed him most.<\/p>\n Making his first start in more than a month, Mount was as surprised as anyone else to see the ball had been passed to him on the edge of Dean Henderson’s box. His reaction revealed his captain’s decision had caught him off guard, although the quality of his strike didn’t show it.<\/p>\n “We always have a little conversation,” said Mount while recapping his pre-set-piece chat with Fernandes. “I said to him, ‘I will roll it for you,’ and then he said, ‘You stay there,’ and then I said, ‘You shoot,’ because obviously the sun was difficult today and was causing a few problems for us first half with long balls and I thought it would be difficult for Deano [Henderson] to see the ball in goal.<\/p>\n “And then he said: ‘You stay there,’ and rolled it over and you can see with my reaction to getting on the end of it… He obviously said it but really quick and that’s why it helped out the situation. They didn’t see it coming, they didn’t see us talking, they were late to react, and it is about finding that little bit of space in the wall, that little disruption, and then hit the target.”<\/p>\n Mount executed the plan perfectly, with Palace’s fragmented wall unable to shield Henderson’s near post as the decisive shot found its way home. The victory was sufficient to lift United to seventh, now just four points adrift of bitter rivals City, who occupy second spot.<\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a349<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Elliot](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2244759568.jpg\")
Nottingham Forest talisman Elliot Anderson is a top target for both United and City(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Mason](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2_GettyImages-2249172995.jpg\")
Mason Mount was in the dark before Bruno Fernandes teed him up for the winner at Selhurst Park(Image: 2025 Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1744537215_662_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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