Anderson-The Player

[T-Bone]

This is in retaliation to the 'Anderson haircut' thread

Now lets talk about the player, shall we?

Imo this kid is a future United legend. Only 20 and he has already put it up to the likes of Gerrard & Fabregas. Great engine, tackling and a superb passer
as we witnessed against Pompey. He kind of played in off the left and roamed in sort of a 'free role' where he proved to be effective.
We know he can play in the middle and even off the front man at a push (although he has yet to get his shooting boots on).
He is also confident and strong and could even play left back if we were stuck.

Already a crowd favourite with his 'Anderson-son-son' chant getting roared by the United fans every week,
a positive energy and cog in the fantastic team spirit they experience in the dressing room. The kid has something special.

He got a lot more game time than anticipated last season, mainly due to injuries, but you could see he
faded in the last few months of the season and wasnt as effective as he was in the first half of the season.

My questions to you guys to get the discussion going.

Do you think his versatility will cost him a regular starting place?
Where do you think his best position is?
If like me you think its in the centre of midfield, how and when will he get a game with the likes of Scholes,
Carrick and Hargreaves in there?

And will he get many games this season?

Feel free to discuss.
TB

[Codd1e]

I think he is an enrichment for the whole league. I am very gladly we him at that time have got, I knew him also as him still with postage under contract was. He is a world class player who is still very young. The boy has one potential mixes. His offensive abilities are correctly good for a rather defensive midfield player. I like him really, I hope he play an awesome Season!

[funkdoctorspock]

Having watched Anderson in a Champions League match and seeing various youtube/dailymotion clips during his time at Porto, I figured that when United signed him he would be the natural successor to Paul Scholes. He was primarily used in spearheading Porto's attacks and his passing, speed and shot stood out... A LOT!!!

However, he has been used less as the attacking type and more as a central midfielder... one who breaks up advances from the oppostion and quickly starts play to the wings. Less of his attacking prowless is shown, which is a lil disappointing.

I think the real shock to many of us has been his defensive play. He really gets stuck in on challenges and doesn't back down from anyone. Surprising has been the coaching decision to have him marking key opposing playmakers with devestating effect.

I think the problem for Anderson at the moment is Scholes and Carrick. This pairing in my opinion is the best central pairing United has to offer and has shown time and time again that the precise short passing, combined with accurate long range passing has resulted in many goals for United. While Anderson has shown he can play alongside Carrick or Scholes well, he faces a massive task in unseating either. Add to the equation Hargreaves, and things become that much more difficult. What is great though is the amount of matches United play in a season. Rotation is key and Anderson will get to play a good set of matches. We had a thread early this year on the midfield "dilemma". Check it out HERE.

I personally feel that any player that possesses versatility in playing more than one position is an asset to a team. Anderson can play three: Attacking and Central midfield and striker. I can't see how this would cost him a starting place.

What we'll probably see as players return from injury in midfield, Anderson will be used a little less. Why? Due to his Olympic campaign. He'll be rested in order for United to have all there options ready for the hectic second half of the season.

With Scholes career winding down [obviously in a few years], Anderson will be expected to continue to show improvement. I fully expect Anderson to continue his rise as an exceptional player for Manchester United.

[DC]

I think this lad can become a legend at united. He reminds me of scholes so much with the exception to his shooting ability.

Looking back at the Anderson watch thread for last season, i cant believe some of the early opinions we had of him.

Despite the fact that he has little grasp of the language unlike nani who is learning quickly, i think he has settled in very easily in the side. For him to come into a big league like the premiership and play big club like manchester united to a very high standard is exceptional considering the fact that he had only just recovered from a big injury.

He is pretty mature on the pitch too. He doesnt lack flare and doesnt mind going toe to toe with rivals ie against gerrard and fabregas last season.

Defensively he is sounds, he reads the game well and has good vision on the ball but i really do wish we could see more of him going forward. He made a couple of runs against liverpool and arsenal last year but i wish we could see more of that. I also wish he would get a shot on target and score.

here is a compilation of him against arsenal last year in the FA cup. One of his best performances imo.

I love the bit around about 4:45 when he holds the ball up in the corner flag




p/s, i dont get how this is in retaliation to the anderson hair thread