Filed under: UEFA Champions League | Tags: Alex Ferguson, Anderson, Arsenal, Manchester United, Paul Scholes, Premier League, Seleção
Two seasons at Manchester United, two Champions League finals – and very close to his second Premier League winning medal. Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira is just a 21-year-old and is already in the football history books as the most sucessful Brazilian player in English football. He wants more and hopes to achieve that with an extra help from the Red Devils fans.
“We have the possibility to put this squad among Manchester United’s best of all times. We have fantastic fans that will invade Rome to support us in the Champions League final. It is one more dream coming true,” says Anderson.
The week is even more special for the young Brazilian after Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he can be the new Paul Scholes and chose Anderson ahead of the Man United idol for the Champions League semifinal match against Arsenal in London.
“It is great to know someone like Ferguson admires you. I don’t have enough words to thank him for all he has done for me at Manchester United. About replacing Scholes, it is a great honour to me. I hope I can continue doing what people expect from me. I want to make history in this club,” added the midfielder, also a regular in the Seleção under coach Dunga.
Anderson now says Manchester United will be focused on winning the Premier League trophy as soon as posible. Then, they will just have the Champions League final to worry about.
“We want to concentrate in the European final. We will have time for it and we will be in our best shape. To be able to beat us, our opponent will have to play too well.”
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Filed under: English Premier League | Tags: Anderson, Champions League, Grêmio, Liverpool, Lucas, Manchester United, Porto, Premier League
A fantastic pass for Manchester United’s first goal in the 2-0 win over Portsmouth, and the hard work that has earned him a lot of praise in England – and has made him explain back home why he is not the player he used to be. Anderson is back at his best after suffering with injuries this season. Wednesday’s night victory was so important to him and United that the Brazilian says he and the fans have started feeling the smell of more silverware.
“We are totally focused on winning the Premier League as soon as possible and then concentrate in the Champions League. We respected our opponents but the ‘smell of the Premier League trophy’ is already in the air. The fans are excited with the possibility of a quadruple, of winning four trophies this season. We see that on flags and banners and this gives us, players, even more confidence. We want to make history in Europe,” says Anderson, through his spokesman.
The midfielder is yet to score his first goal for Manchester United in more than 70 appearances, but he swears he is more than happy to help with assistances and passes, like the one to Ryan Giggs who then sent the ball for Wayne Roney to score 1-0 against Portsmouth.
“I joked with the guys that the strikers should give me some of their cash because of my assistances. It makes things much easier for them,” laughs Anderson.
Only 21, Anderson has already won a Copa América with the Seleção and his honours with Manchester United include one Champions League, one Premier League, one Club World Cup and the League Cup.
He started his career at Grêmio FBPA labeled as new Ronaldinho, coming from the same ranks and because of his talent and hairstyle. He won the Brazilian Second Divison with Grêmio, scoring in the historic Batalha dos Aflitos (“Battle of the Afflicted”) against Náutico, a match also mentioned by Liverpool midfielder and former Anderson teammate Lucas in one interview to FC Brazil.
Anderson then moved to FC Porto where he won two Portuguese leagues and one Portuguese Cup. He was elected the best player of the 2005 U-17 World Cup in Peru and has also won the bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
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