Ando's On Top Of His Game

Anderson has proved capable of realising his incredible potential in the last month - now his team-mate Patrice Evra says he must maintain his brilliance year after year, not just week after week.

United's Brazilian no.8 arrived at Old Trafford in 2007 from Portugal alongside Nani with plenty of hype about his future. He caused a stir in his first season but, much like Nani, didn't always produce consistently. That was undoubtedly due to a combination of youth and injuries, but now - and he's still only 22 - he's proving what a talent he is.

"Ando is doing brilliant," Evra told MUTV. But the Frenchman isn't getting too carried away: "The most important thing is not three or four games, you need to play like this every year.

"He has a big talent, it's three years now he's played for United and the club has shown the confidence they have in him with a new contract, and he needs to show on the pitch that he deserves that.

"He put in a fantastic performance [against Sunderland], but I'm not surprised about Anderson. I always believed in him and I hope now he will keep having that type of game every game."

Anderson's displeasure at being substituted against the Black Cats highlights just how much he is enjoying his football. And as the reason behind hauling him off after 64 minutes shows, he has a manager able to get the best out of him.