Why Manchester United should offload Anderson

The summer of 2007 was an exciting one for Manchester United fans. After winning the title for the first time in four years, they splashed out on Nani,Anderson and Owen Hargreaves to form a squad which would go on to complete the Premier League and Champions League double the following season.

Anderson scored in the penalty shoot-out in that Champions League final success over Chelsea in 2007/08 but has never really shown why he was bought from FC Porto for around £20million. Injuries have plagued his United career but when he has been fit to play, the Brazilian has failed to live up to his expensive price-tag.

The midfielder has made just 102 league appearances in six-and-a-half seasons in a United shirt, with a lot of them coming from the substitutes bench. And to add insult to his many injuries, Anderson has only managed nine goals in a United shirt.

If anything, his form has gotten gradually worse since he joined the club, culminating in his performances over the last two seasons which have just been filled with nothing but false hope.

Last season, Anderson made 17 league appearances which is a quite strenuous season in terms of games by the Brazilian’s standards. He even managed to string together six league appearances in a row at one stage, but just nine of his total appearances were starts.

When he did play, he was hardly involved in the game, competing in just 50 duels in the whole of last season. The Brazilian lacked a cutting edge in the final third, creating just 13 chances and attempted just 10 shots.

However, Anderson did little to suggest he can screen the defence efficiently either, winning only 13 tackles and making an average of just one defensive action per game, which makes you wonder why he has been allowed to remain at the club for so long.

Many thought he would be moved on when David Moyes took over from Sir Alex Ferguson this season, but he was given one last chance to save his United career. However, he has hardly done anything this season to improve his standing at the club, making just four league appearances and one Champions League substitute appearance.

In his cameo in the 5-0 drubbing of Bayer Leverkusen, his time at United was summed up with one swing of his left foot. After making a trademark driving run at the heart of the Germans’ defence, he scuffed his shot miles wide, with the goal gaping. It really was very poor.

The Brazilian has become little more than a facilitator of play. His lack of confidence is evident when he takes to the pitch and the only way for him to regain it is to leave the spotlight of Old Trafford. It is best for all parties for Anderson to move on as he is taking up a place in United’s squad that could be filled by a much better midfielder who would offer plenty more.