Manchester United midfielder, Anderson, went off the rails recently after becoming frustrated over his lack of playing time. Whilst his form has been hit and miss this season, the Brazilian believed he deserved more time in the team so fled home to Brazil without the permission of the club.
He returned to Manchester though and at the beginning of the week said that whilst he’d had his doubts, he was now certain of his United future.
Anderson then started our next game against West Ham but hurt himself early on and was then subbed off.
It has today been revealed that he will miss six months because of a cruciate knee ligament injury. The manager is hopeful he will be able to return for the start of the 2010/2011 season, but will play no further part in this season.
With Michael Carrick suspended, this limits our options for AC Milan next week.
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We’ve still got Rodrigo Possebon to play in his position!Always thought he was a cracking player before his injury against Pogatetz.Maybe this could be his chance to shine again.
except possebon is on loan at the moment and not registered for us in the champions league!
anyway we are no short, we could play eiher scholes, giggs, gibson, flethcher or park so I would say we are hardly short!
Darren Gibson is more than capable to play alongside Scholes and Fletcher.
There is always Gibson I suppose, though am far from convinced about him.
Use Berbatov as an AM, would work a treat, sitting deep and making the play.
gutted. Most talented young midfielder we have
Big blow for Ando.Hope he can come back before the next season starts and get a good pre season behind him. He deserves another chance.Has talent, just needs to work harder and have more confidence in himself. Sure he can make it big at United
stand up Possebon
gibson/possebon vs ac milan?
scholes and fletcher would probably be first choicers anyway. but with
no giggs, no carrick and no anderson, i think fergie is more likely to tinker with the formation rather than start gibson or possebon against milan.
i reckon:
VDS / Raphael / Vidic / Brown / Evra / Scholes / Fletcher / Nani / Valencia / Rooney / Berbatov
but maybe not necessarily as a 4-4-2. Rooney could drop back into midfield, for the 1st half especially.
damn, i was really hoping anderson would excel in this game.
Its a blow for the kid but im sure gibbo can step up. I see our medical staff is getting a bit of stick from some fans, cant see how its there fault, just one of those seasons for bad injuries.
Gutted. Don’t rate Gibson at all. All he seems interested in doing is shooting and getting ‘his goal’, which isn’t good enough for a midfielder, at all. Scholes is old now and can’t play every game, Carrick is very hit and miss.
no offense but rodrigo possebon ain’t replacing anyone anytime soon!
This is the time for Gibson to show if he has what it takes to be a United player…
With the form berbatov has been in I have a sneaky feeling it could go 4-4-2…only because all of our midfield options are young or be out of position. It would be a big surprise for us to do this in Europe so i say there’s about a 3% chance of 4-4-2. Other than that Gibson didn’t do too bad against West Ham and if he is to be a United player he will play in these games sometime. He’s not inexperienced in big games as he was always involved for Trappatoni even in that infamous Henry handball game. It would be great to see him develop this little bit further against that vastly experienced midfield. Also…one of the wingers may be drafted as the AM just like park was or fergie has said valencia can do(he does it for ecuador on occasion).
Really sad to see Anderson get injured in his first game back to prove himself. He must feel like shit. I hope we support him through all this an he comes back stronger…and with a few goals.
Another thing: Where the fuck is owen hargreaves?
RE: Tony Starks:
If you call scoring the odd screamer after about ten attempts making it at United then I guess he has already shown he can make it at United. Because that is all I can see him showing in Anderson’s absence
Gibson’s not good enough, he’s a good player and will do well for someone like sunderland but not for united. Anderson was more than likely bein given his last chance before bein sold in the summer. Think the midfield against milan will be giggs fletcher and scholes with nani and valencia wide. Also valencia played in the middle for wigan if giggs doesn’t make it. Either way i don’t see gibson startin against milan.
Rodrigo can’t play against Milan, he’s not registered in our Champions League squad….
…is he??
RE: King
Fergie is not going to go 4-4-2 away in Europe. He likes packing out the midfield
@spencer… Well I don’t see any alternative right now. Rodrigo is the guy who could not even get into the Braga team when he wen’t on loan… So we just have to hope for the best and hope Carrick Scholes and Fletcher don’t get injured!
RE: Tony Starks
There is no alternative and that is what is so worrying that we have to rely on Gibson if Carrick/Scholes/Fletcher (one or more of them) get injured. We definitely need to look at the midfield department in the summer
@spencer
Valid point. I cant see SAF starting a 4-4-2 in Europe. We will have to play the same 3 midfielders in the big games and give them rest when we play the likes of Stoke and the lesser teams
Valencia can play as a CAM , cant he?. With nani doing well on the right(Hopefully that will continue) and Giggs and Park able to play on the left, that is worth a try
At least gibson can shoot, ando couldn’t shoot for shit.
@Alex
He’s not but I think he can replace Anderson if its down to Injury
you cant replace anyone because they are playing shit but you can for injury
Hargreaves and Fletcher in the champions league final starting team
Its an option aig but i see valencia as out and out winger, his pace can make the difference for us on the right.
RE: AAIG
True and I guess we have Giggs as the ‘fourth midfielder’
RE: willierednut:
True, one of Anderson’s weaknesses is shooting. But he is a midfielder, and brings other qualities to the side, which is why people laughed it of when he went ages without scoring a goal. Gibson on the other hand, well his only strength seems to be shooting which is simply not enough for a midfielder
@willierednut
Yes, he is good on the right, but nani looks comfortable on the right and Valencia cant play on the left. So rather then being on the bench i think it is worth a try. The midfield 3 will ocasionally need a rest,cant play every game.We lack an out and out CAM and Valencia does play there for Ecuador.Worth a go because Scholes,Carrick and Fletch have played a lot of games in the last few months
Sorry to hear about Ando’s injury – even if his form is patchy, he seems like a decent bloke. I have to be honest I’ve criticized him in the past for not taking time off in the summer – since Ando joined United he’s played for Brazil in 1 Olympics and 2 Confederation Cups and of course, he was planning to go to the World cup this summer – that means he has never had a summer off since joining United!
All players need time to rest and recuperate and Anderson’s body is telling him enough is enough – you can play all day long and all year long when you’re a kid but when you are a top class professional you have to be more wise and disciplined – I hope Anderson, United and Brazil learn from this!
About Gibson, he has all the basics but just needs to get into the game more – he is obsessed with keeping in the right position in midfield and sometimes the game passes him by as a result. He just needs to grow up a bit and be more assertive!
I really feel for Anderson who must be totally distraught, just when he must have hoped to start re-building his United (and Brazil) career. It leaves us very thin in midfield, with Giggs out injured, Nani banned domestically, Carrick banned for Milan, Scholes unable to produce twice-a-week indefinitely, and of course, no Hargreaves. Obertan clearly can’t be relied on yet, judging by his woeful display against Everton.We are very short of sheer muscle-power in midfield, a lot now depending on Fletcher (who must be due for his annual Spring injury). I thought Gibson had a good game against West Ham and this is certainly his chance to prove he’s ‘got it’. When he’s good, he looks strong, which we desperately need right now. The Chelsea match in April will surely be won or lost in midfield, where they do look stronger at present. We’ll miss Anderson for that.
As others have said, this could also be Berba’s chance, with his ability to hold the ball higher up the pitch, which relieves the pressure on midfield in a different way. He’s surprisingly active in tracking back and tackling for someone with such a ‘lazy’ reputation, and is good at defending corners.And of course he posses sublime passing ability, long and short, able to unpick the tighest of defences.
The romantic in me would love to see Possebon given a chance as , pre-Bogatez, he looked very exciting, but his career seems to have foundered with all those unsuccessful loan-deals.
Still, the one good thing in all this, Fergie will have less scope for ‘tinkering’,and he’ll be forced to go for a more settled formation. Let’s hope that includes the imperious Vidic from now on.
We’re being really unfair to Gibson here
@Demon,
I totally agree with you. Only yesterday i was thinking about the exact same thing. Berba should be made to play in an AM position as he is bloody skillful and he can make the play…that position not necessarily needs pace but a good footballing mind(which berba actually has)…Come on Fergie, please use him as an AM..i think he would make a fantastic player in that position..his vision, touches and passing are more suited to that position, IMHO!!! BERBA to be our playmaker from the centre of the pitch..anyone??..what do you guys think??
@spencer
Yes. Giggsy can play there too and looks comfortable. SAF will have to use the versatility of gigg,valencia and even Berbatov to ensure that we dont have to play the same 3 midfielders week in week out.
Berba does frustrate me at times but it is only because of his laid back attitude and lack of pace…i do not doubt his ability on the ball..i think no one does…most of the time the complaints are always about his pace and laid back attitude…this can be countered by playing him in midfield and allowing him to make the play for our attackers..i think he would have a lot more fans rooting for him(not rooting him..hehehe…they might feel like it though if he can actually perform in that role)..hahaha..anyway…berba is class..just frustrating at times for being laid back..just my two cents worth guys…see what you think..??
The midfield against milan will be interesting, nani scholes fletch valencia and gibbo.
Agreed KingAbdullah, with all these injuries gibbo could be a big player for us.
Crushing blow for the lad. Let´s hope he gets well soon inspite of the terrible injury.
COME ON YOU MIGHTY REDS
LUHG
This is very bad news. Having stood up for Nani, I’m going to do the same for Anderson but for a reason. I thought each could bring something to the team given the chance, Nani showed what he can do for several weeks and I hope he continues. Anderson on the other hand has had a bad time but I really believe that we missed him in Milan where our midfield was bypassed. I think he would have steadied the ship first half. Losing him is bad news because Hargreaves isn’t back yet and we’ll end up playing Gibbo in big games if Giggs is till unavailable.
Gibson HAS TO BE a big player for us. He won’t be in the squad if he wasn’t capable. Ppl see his shooting but in different stretches against west ham his passing was accurate, composed and for a stretch even penetrative. I will not flinch if he is in the starting lineup for a HOME GAME(@spencer) where we have a slight advantage.
Gibson needs to be able to hold the ball better than he does. His decison making is not on par to be able to rely on him in big european matches. There’s no denying he has a future at United but needs more experience. I guess we might not have too many options. Scholes, n fletch in the middle park and valencia on the wings, maybe bring nani back, We will be fine!
fergie is all to blame in my opininon. the lad has never played on the left once in his lifetime and look what happened!!! he was just coming back into the swing of things and i really feel sorry for ando as he is a classsss player! get well soon! Will miss u! Mufc 4 life!
Is there any reason that Park can’t play as part of a midfield three? Apart from the fact he was probably pencilled in as the left winger for the game of course.
Other than him our main options would seem to be: Hargreaves, Ando, Giggs, O’Shea… Hmmm
Hope he recovers fast.That’s a terrible injury.
anyway, Anderson has not been setting the world on fire this season, so it’s not necessarily a huge blow for the team – for him it is, cos now he has no chance of a world cup place – that’s a shame, it’s nice to see United represented in the world cup
he could play park in the centre against milan like he did before , giggs wide left , valencia right fletch , scholes and park in the middle ?
Oh, fuck it. Banned for a month, comes back fresh and gets injured within 7 minutes and he i out for 6 months.
I have seen Gibson and Possebon’s names thown around. I can’t them getting much time on the pitch. Gibson will probably start the odd game, but the truth is that we are running out of options. Carrick and Fletcher will have to play a lot of games. Scholesy will also have to play more than we thought he would. And lets pray to God that we don’t get more injuries in there.
As far as Milan goes, I think it will be Fletcher,Scholes and Park in that midfield area with Valencia and Nani(or Giggs) on the wings.
@costas
Gibson will have to play some games, we are running out of bodies. ps we could ask keano back for the milan game wishful thinking
Gibson will have to play I agree. But he has to really step up in order to do so. He has to start grabbing games by the neck. I was looking at our fixture list and here’s what it looks like should we make the quarter finals:
March 21: Liverpool(H)
March 27: Bolton(A)
March 30/31: 1st Quarter Final
April 3: Chelsea (H)
April 6/7: 2nd Quarter Final
April 11: Blackburn(A)
That’s 6 hard fixtures in 21 days. I hope the Carrick-Fletch-Scholes can handle them. And looking how that Chelsea game is sandwiched, that’s why I want them to make it to the Quarter finals.
Thats a tough run of fixtures but the only up – side to all these injuries is maybe the boss can have a more settled team, instead of always chopping and changing. Also, wouldn’t it great if hargo could make for some of the league games.
@Costas
Dosent look good mate.Could potential decide our season ,those 3 weeks and our squad will be streched to the limit.
Bad news buts lets be honest he has been woeful most of the season when given the chance. Had the odd decent game. It is a time for him now to take stock , work hard and fight for his future at United. Come on Ando lad. For those calling for Possebon he is nowhere near first team quality yet. I for one think he is over rated. Never been the same since the injury. Is it that bad a thing keeping a settled midfield? When we were constantly rotating people were moaning so may be a blessing in disguise just so long that nobody else gets injured. Giggsy back for Milan game they reckon so thats good news.
Find it odd that people slag Gibson but go mad for Anderson. If we are all honest Gibson has done more for United this season.
Tony Starks – Hello mate. It seems we are in agreement.
Here’s the deal with playing a settled team. It’s essential during the start of the season in order for the team to gel quickly together. But as the games pile up, you need to rotate from time to time to keep everyone fresh. Carrick and Fletcher will have to play all 6 of those games one would think. How much will it take out of them? That’s anybody’s guess.
willierednut mentioned Hargreaves. I hope. He will have to return to action over the next 30 days though.
@King Eric
Hi mate. Gibson has scored more goals. That’s it. Anderson has bossed the midfield area a lot more than Gibson this season and that’s what they are judged on. Ando was a woeful at the Wastelands, but overall I thought he was starting to hit his stride at the time.
King Eric – “Find it odd that people slag Gibson but go mad for Anderson. If we are all honest Gibson has done more for United this season.”
Bingo.
And Costas, you’re demanding that Gibson starts grabbing games by the neck? Something that Carrick hasn’t done in the last 3 and a half seasons? I’m not having a go at Carrick as he’s been excellent recently, but some people have unrealistic expectations for the young lad and are prepared to write him off as soon as he doesn’t meet them.
More times than not a settled team means a winning team. Id rather have giggs and scholes in the run – in, you cant buy experience.
@bigphil2003
What works for Carrick is his passing ability and the way he can dictate the pace in a game. Gibson doesn’t have that, yet. And I don’t expect him too, yet. That’s not an unrealistic expectation. That’s a fact. My point was that in order to be considered as a good alternative for us this season, he has to start making his presence felt. Like Carrick,Fletcher and Scholes do. That doesn’t mean that I don’t have faith in him. But he is not the answer to filling Anderson’s gap right now. Not in my opinion anyway.
For me Anderson has been a total waste of money, I am sorry for the lad getting injured and sorry really for us as it would now be difficult to sell him.
If he wasn’t from Brazil and have silly hair and was ginger and from Salford people would not rave about him, I hope he gets fit but he isn’t a United plyer for me and one goal in three seasons is awful.
For me Anderson has been a total waste of money, I am sad foor the lad for getting injured but sad for us too, because it now will be hard to sell him in the summer.
If he was from Salford and had ginger hair and not from Brazil with silly hair people would not rave about and one goal in three years is awful.
Er sorry for the double post.
Actually there is no point in all of us saying so much as fergie will only puts his tactics for himself. Anderson injury is a big blow for him and for us. I think fergie can use him after giving so much rest recently to go on for 2nd half of the season. His luck is no good as with Nani. Both have been really unlucky but Anderson is the most unluckiest one.
I dont think not consistent playing in the league will be able to play against Milan. Gibson might have a chance. But i do think it will be very risking and no way is berbatov going to play in midfield. I do think park will be put on the AM with scholes and fletcher behind him. I got the starting lineup correct in the first leg and i do think my second one will be almost right. vidic and brown will play against milan and i dont think fergie will be handing evans. Evra, rafael will start on full back. VDS as usual. I do think Nani will be playing on the left as our left wing had no one other than giggs and park. But park will be playing AM and Valencia will be playing on the right. No matter how bad Nani plays on the left, he is still good than opponents. Opponent find it hard to defend him even he plays badly. I still feel happy when Nani playing badly as this is down to him and not opponent being stronger or better than him. Rooney will starts. Berbatov or Owen might starts.
Anderson for me is better than Gibson. But Gibson makes more contribution this season than Anderson. Anderson when on his day can help us win the game but Gibson can’t. Anderson had so much presence when he is on form and like Nani he is capable. Gibson on the other side is average and may need loans to play more regularly to help him.
@Alex
I’m not sure about this BUT I think Possebon might be eligible. I believe the B list eligibilty is fo players born on or after 1 January 1988 and Possebon is born on 13 February 1989 so is fine.
I believe the B list can be added to at anytime and anyway clubs usually name most reserve players who can be on the B list (Oh and Anderson himself is actually on the B list so he can’t actually be replaced even if the Injury rules come into play)
Not that I think Possebon is First team quality. He always looked good in the Reserves but his style of play just didn’t seem to suit the EPL and the few times he got First team chances he didn’t look great. And since that horro tackle he has gone backwards
@maci
Wrong he played on the left against Burnley and he did play some of his games in Portugal
@King Eric
Its because while Gibson has a great shot he just doesn’t show any of the other qualities of a united first team midfielder and this just seems so much of the game pass him by. He was better against West Ham than most of his apperances this year but he also didn’t set the world alight. In some ways he reminds me of Fletcher so he may still come good and the other parts just click. Anderson on the other hand shows most of the qualities of a top midfielder he just needs the consistancy
@Costas
On Hargo perhaps an slight midfield injury/suspension crisis may be what he needs. ATM its a mental thing apparently and it might push him past this block if he feels he has to get playing.
@bigphil2003
Carrick may not be a Fletcher or Keane but he rarely seems like the games passing him by like with Gibson. If anything he dictates the game while others do the running. And remember Gibson isn’t really that young now. He is 22 now.
@wakey
Ando’s got qualities of a top class midfielder, well he doesn’t show it mate. In his first season he performed well against gerrard and fabregas and maybe people went ott and he started to believe his own hype.
Costas @ 13:26: “As far as Milan goes, I think it will be Fletcher,Scholes and Park in that midfield area with Valencia and Nani(or Giggs) on the wings.”
That seems to be most likely since ThreeLungPark will again be given the job of shadowing AndreaPirlo.
The Anderson injury is really unfortunate since it seems like he was FINALLY being given the chance to be an attacking inside-left which is his “natural” position.
You have to think that whatever SAF devises for the end-of-season selections that it’s going to be quite different next year. Two guys who should both be playing as right wingers/inside-rights and no one to play as the left winger/inside-left. Will Vidic be back ? Can Rio’s back stand up to the rigours of full-time play ? And, of course, the question of what to do with Dimitar Berbatov – sell him at a loss or find some way to properly exploit his skills ?
But, of course, before then there’s the little matter of the glorious # 19 and the CL, not to mention this weekend’s defence of the Carling Cup.
Kel, Anderson has scored one goal in three years, how is he going to win us a game? Gibbo has scored has 6 in two seasons.
Gutted for Ando
Wakey – I completly agree with you about possebon I would rather give him a chance than gibson who for me he gives the ball cheaply time and time again. I have never been a huge gibson fan his lack of mobility and he gets caught in possesion far to easy he dilly dallys with the ball for me.
But I have been dissapointed with the handling of anderson in the past phew months, yes he said some dumb things who has not and he has had such a poor season at times but I think he should have been brought in for the pompey game at home has a perfect way to kick off his season again, maybe fergie coming down way to hard may have seen to much rustiness in anderson which got him the injury, or he could have brought anderson off the bench against west ham to slowly bring him into the team.
Absolutely Gutted. Thats all I have to say really…
…Although I did skipp through a few comments and read more then one saying Anderson couldn’t shoot for shit – wtf are you talking about? Anderson has a lethal shot he always has. Youtube his games before he joined us he was an attacking midfielder. Failing that, even in United colours look at his pre-season free kick he constantly does that on the training ground. The boy has magic in those boots and he can score, Alec is simply training him as a defensive midfielder so he’s a more rounded player. We don’t get to see him going forward as much as we’d like to, but the more he learns and progresses the more the chains will be removed. Thats why most fans can’t wait to see him in the squad full time. He is an amazing player and a natural replacement for Paul Scholes. He has 10 years of football ahead of him, I really hope he doesn’t leave just yet. Mark my words, if he does leave he’ll become a star wherever he goes because he’ll be played as a 100% attacking mid. At United we do things differently so we have to wait for his development as an all round midfield player.
HAVE PATIENCE !!!!!
Paul Parker – hi mate. Oh come on. Anderson may well have “magic in his boots ” but he has never shown it at United.
Can’t understand really why people think he will be a big miss. As Stephen said if he was ginger and from Salford people would not rave about him. Needs to do much more when given the chance. Far too often he tries the “hollywood” pass but more often than not he loses possesion.
@Paul Parker
1 goal in 3 seasons mate says it all, i hope he does turn in to a great player but im not yet to be convinced. Gibbo and berba need patience from the fans as well.
Possebon instead of Gibson. Seriously? Why?
First and foremost, best of luck to Anderson, a very unlucky thing to happen and looking past the AWOL situation, a top guy – always smiling and such.
As for Milan – they expect Giggs cast to come off end of this week and be in full training next week. Unless there is something else that comes up, have to think he is up for selection for it as most likely we’ll play only 1 striker.
I don’t fancy Berbatov as a midfield as much as I rate him as a strike partner for Rooney. If we are playing 3 in the middle is so that we can retain the ball and close people down and the midfielders are making themselves available constantly, just don’t see Berbatov doing that.
The other thing is Valencia can play in the middle. He does it for Ecuador and you could play Nani out wide and Park on the left or Giggs.
It’s a blow for Anderson but, for the Milan game we certainly have options and we really shouldn’t be conceding at home with Vida partnering with either Brown or Evans.
Just to add, i dont want ando to go either i hope he gets over this injury and comes back a better player.
@King Eric
Speaking as a big fan of his, first of all, he is a miss simply because he was a our 4th choice midfielder. And second, we have seen glimpses of what he can do. Remember his first season? Ok, that was 2 years ago, but it proved that he has the tools. Gibson hasn’t proved his abilities in the same manner.
@Wakey
Could be. Or it still might be way too soon. I remember that Keane could have played in the final game of the 97-98 season against Barnsley, but Fergie opted against it, allowing him to work more on his strength and fitness. The last time we had an update on Hargo, he was still not training every day. After that, I got the impression that we wouldn’t have any news any time soon.
With Scholes getting more playing time, I fear for red and yellow cards.
Did anyone watch the first leg?fletcher was playing on the left with scholes in the middle and carrick on the right of the middle 3! Park was playing behind rooney…mainly to sit on pirlo and ensure he didn’t dictate the game! Fletch will replace carrick and giggs on the left with park and rooney plus either valencia or nani out wide!
King Eric Said,February 25th, 2010 @16:47
Paul Parker – hi mate. Oh come on. Anderson may well have “magic in his boots ” but he has never shown it at United.
Can’t understand really why people think he will be a big miss. As Stephen said if he was ginger and from Salford people would not rave about him.
____________________
I agree 100% mate, I know he hasn’t shown his magic at United….
Like I said in my post the reason (in my opinion) why he hasn’t set the world alight with us YET is because he’s being played out of position. Alec plays him as defensive midfielder and he’s NEVER played defensive midfield before. So add it up. He’s young, he’s foreign, and he’s been played completely out of position the whole time he’s been in England. PLUS he’s still being expected to play out of position at the highest level. Alec knows he’s asking alot of him, he’s engineering a complete transformation.
Look where Ando played for his former clubs and you’ll see why we’re yet to see him score the types of goals HE WAS KNOWN FOR. Ando is a natural attacking / creative midfielder, we’ve all seen him beat his man and leave them standing, he has bags of skill, but for us he plays defensively / destructively. Thats like making Nani a Right Back. But I understand Alec’s logic, because once Anderson hits form he’ll be a more rounded player going forward and getting back. He’ll be like Fletcher, a box to box midfielder. Thats what Alec wants from him, and thats what we should ALL be patiently waiting for. If Anderson was given licence to get forward like Nani or Valencia we would all be raving about him because THATS what he does naturally. So as Supporters we have to be patient and never forget that he is young and he is playing TOTALLY out of position. But ultimately I think it will make him a better player, way better then Fabregas.
@ King Eric
As for him being Ginger and from Salford, if you haven’t already done so, type in ANDERSON on youtube mate. Have a Ganda. Then look up his previous Club history if you don’t already know it (Wiki is a good place to start) The boy has bags of history…
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Now, if a Ginger lad from Salford was scoring goals like THAT against big clubs in his teens, or if a Ginger lad from Salford made himself a LEGEND by scoring a Promotion winning goal against all odds… or if a Ginger Salford teenager was scoring great goals for his Country… if a Ginger lad was doing all that you’d all be calling him White Ronaldinho. In fact, if Anderson was a Ginger lad I think UNITED SUPPORTERS would be a little less impatient and a little more grateful he was with us in the first place. Heres the perfect Example. Berbatov has not set the world alight at OT, but because we’ve all seen what he can really do at Tottenham we rightly keep the faith. Meanwhile, Anderson is barely 23 so we shouldn’t be judging him on his Old Trafford career alone. The boy has played European and Brazilian Football before, and he’s played and scored for his Country. Until he came to England he was a Creative Attacking Midfielder scoring beautiful goals, so judge him on THAT as much as everything else he’s done with us. Because If we convientely forget about Berbatov’s Spurs days and soley judge him on his performances for United since he joined…. we would have to admit he’s pathetic for a 30 million striker considering he’s yet to get in his bloody TEENS mate, last season was 9 goals and he’s on 9 now. BUT NO, we don’t judge Berbatov on his last 2 seasons we judge him on his form before he came, and at Tottenham he proved he has amazing quality so we patiently hope he replicates his Tottenham form with us. What im saying is, people should judge Ando in the same way – he ALREADY proved he is a quality young player before he stepped foot in England. We should get behind Alec and support Ando’s transition from an out and out attacking midfielder to a box to box midfielder who gets forward as well as he gets back. Anderson is class, and we shouldn’t forget he is playing completely out of position. If Berbatov is nearly 30 years old and needs this much time to settle in the exact same league he’s been playing in for YEARS, lets give young Ando more support and time to change his ENTIRE game in a new country, aye? That boy is a winner, whether he’s Brazilan or Ginger.
@ Paul Parker – My sentiments on Anderson exactly, he’s being played out of position to aid his devolopment much like Fletcher. Fletcher gave an interview in 03/04 saying he’s never played out on the wing and I remember thinking “It shows cos you’re shit.” Against Milan I realised why Fergie was playing him there all those years ago, to give him an extra advantage in the game mentally so he can outhink opponents when caught there. Similar situation with Anderson although he should have played in his natural position more often.
Gibson will be the next big player from our youth set-up I honestly believe he’ll be major player for us in years to come.
get better soon andooooo…You have the potential to be a United legend
@ NotoriousRedDevil
I agree mate, didn’t know that about Fletcher but it makes sense. Since then he’s become a huge player for us. Alec likes to play young players out of position. He def wants Anderson to be a gladiator type box to box midfielder and I think he can do that. He can tackle well, he has strength, pace, a clinical pass, and a proven shot from outside the box. I agree I’d def like to see him get forward more, but I must admit I like the fact he’s being molded into a true central midfielder. Alec has a heart (lol) so after this latest huge disappointment I think we’ll see alot more of Anderson next season, because had he not been injured I think he would’ve been completely brought in from the cold and allowed to play alot more, starting with the Cup Final. Thats why im absolutely gutted, I really am. I rate Gibson highly too, his goal at West Ham was pure class. He’s one for the future too, although I guess for anybody wanting to compare them they’d have to remind themselves that Ando has WON TITLES before he came to United. He’s wanted by way more teams then just Lyon, he was a desirable player on the continent before we bought him, plus he’s scored everywhere he’s been. Gibson will continue to develop with us, he has great potential and a great shot too, but for people to compare him to Ando is strange imo. I hadn’t really seen Gibson play well before this year but he’s only 22 so he can only get better. I think all our young players just need our support and patience, look at Scholes, he’s a Legend, and he started out scoring 30 odd yard screamers like Gibson.
Shame for Ando, he’s been struggling for form and minutes so this is a blow for him with Carricks suspension coming up and the inevitable resting of Scholes that will have to happen at his age.
Gutted for Ando. Adorable, possitive, gutsy. I was screaming for him to do the job on Tuesday, i don’t know why but i badly want him to become a legend at United. Maybe my emotions turned out to be destructive.
I wasn’t impressed with him this season but suddenly i began to miss the player.
…And then they showed Hargo in the stands. For all my possitive thinking about Hargo’s chances to play this season right now i don’t believe in it.
Against Milan there will be enough Midfielders to cover for Ando and Carrick. Giggs will be available and there`s still Fletcher,Park,Valencia,Scholes,Gibson and Nani. I would field Valencia,Scholes,Fletcher and Park. If we could press them on the wings they are vulnerable. With Rooney playing as he is today and Berba showing some signs of consistency ,we can do it at Old Trafford.
Side note: Anyone else think that Rios back injury is him trying to be fit for the World Cup. At this rate if we do win the league he won’t be responsible for it. He hasn’t even played enough games and now he’s out of the 2nd leg. Rio is one of my favourite players in this squad but this injury is pissing me off. Our medical team must be wank can’t get anything sorted for long term injuries. Probably didn’t help Solskjaer either.
NotoriousRedDevil – According to sources since Rio was made Captain he has come out and said that he is gonna knock a few of his side projects on the head. Why don’t you do that for United then?
As for Anderson I ain’t sure he is a “great character”. Most of the time for me he looks like he thinks he is Billy Big Balls and saunters about the pitch. I know I sound as though I don’t like him at all but I really do think he can make it but he needs to put more work in. Losing a bit of timber could be a start.
gibson is a fukin joke if u ask me
maci – Yeah that’s the spirit mate, really getting behind your team.
I don’t think Fergie will go 4-4-2 against Milan even though our options in the midfield are limited. We’re leading 3-2 and Milan have to score at least twice against us to go through.
I predict this team:
—————– VDS —————–
–Rafael – Brown – Vidic – Evra –
—– Scholes – Fletch – Park —–
Valencia ———————– Nani
————– Rooney —————-
We’ll sit back and use the pace of Valencia, Nani and Rooney to counter attack.
@macl – no one asked you
Gudjohnsen @ 1:35: “We’ll sit back and use the pace of Valencia, Nani and Rooney to counter attack.”
I think you’re absolutely right.
Park will be on Pirlo like a dog-with-a-bone.
Someone else – Fletcherinho – will be given the task of shutting down Ronaldinho who was Meeelan’s main source of inspiration in the first let.
denton and Gudjonsen – Spot on fellas.
Whats there to say?Loosing Anderson is bad,he has been the player i love watching and its so sad loosing him at this point of our campaign,people dont know how talented he is,but in the next couple of years he will prove his worth,I pray he gets well very soon,i believe in miracles and i believe he will come back a better player for man utd and Brazil.He is the only one who can replace Paul Scholes .To my man ando,I pray for your quick recovery.