Once dubbed the ‘new Ronaldinho’ Anderson has had mixed fortunes since he’s move from Porto to United back in the summer of 2007. His first season saw him become a fans favourite as Manchester United went to claim both Premiership and Champions League crowns which prompted fans to come up with the ‘anderson son son son’ chant which can be heard constantly around Old Trafford.
Great things were expected after his first season however, Anderson failed to live up to those expectations and his second season wasn’t as great as his first. Yet, he could still look back at a winning penalty in the Carling Cup Final and a starting birth in the 2009 Champions League final against Barcelona. There was one thing though which many fans were desperate to see from Anderson…a goal, signed as an attacking midfielder many people suspected that Anderson could and would grab a few goals for United, but bar a few penalty shootouts Anderson failed to find the net.
His duck was finally broken when Anderson after 76 games finally scored his first competitive goal for United at White Hart Lane in a 3-1 victory over Tottenham, many fans including myself believed this would get his United career back on track and that this was the first of many goals for the Red Devils. Over a year on and Anderson has failed to scored again for United, although in fairness his season was cut short in February when Anderson was ruled out for the rest of the 2009/10 campaign with a knee injury.
Since then Anderson has had been involved in a car crash, returned to action for United and been subjected to claims he’s overweight. Leading many to believe this could be the Brazilians last season at Old Trafford. Sir Alex has defended his player, despite reports of previous bust ups between the pair. So can Anderson get his career at United back on track?
Well he doesn’t have to look far for inspiration with both Nani and Dimitar finally winning over their critics in the last few months. Nani who was also signed from a Portugese side in 2007 for a similar fee has had his critics, and had a lot of people including myself believing that it would be Anderson and not Nani who would go on to have a great career at United. However, since January 2010 Nani has become a big player for Manchester United after producing some sparkling performances and goals and looks a completely new player from that of 12 months ago.
Dimitar Berbatov is another who has proved his critics wrong. Since signing for 30 millions pounds back in 2008, Dimi has had to deal with constant abuse from United fans for two average at best seasons for United. However, like Nani, Dimitar has started the season on fire and is currently United’s top scorer with 7 goals and with his hat trick against Liverpool last month, Dimitar is no longer the whipping boy for fans when things aren’t going United’s way.
So if Berbatov and Nani turned around their fortunes, why can’t Anderson? Why can’t he get back to the days where he used to play against the likes of Steven Gerrard and Cesc Fabregas and come out better off?
Well he has to get his head down and work hard because if he doesn’t produce the goods this season he probably won’t be a United player this time next year!
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