Anderson Unlucky Not To Play

Sir Alex Ferguson says Anderson is unlucky not to have played more football for Manchester United this season, having impressed on the Reds’ summer tour.

The Brazilian midfielder has started just two of the team’s eight competitive fixtures in 2012/13 – against Fulham in August and in last week’s Capital One Cup match against Newcastle United, a game in which he found the net and topped ManUtd.com’s Man of the Match poll.

But it’s the form of others that’s limiting the 24-year-old’s involvement at the moment, according to the United manager.

“Anderson is a difficult one to leave out but I don’t think there’s been anything wrong with the form of Paul Scholes or Michael Carrick, which makes it difficult to involve other central midfielders when there’s always a desire to play with two wide players,” Sir Alex said.

“Anderson has done nothing wrong. His pre-season form was terrific and he’s a top player, but I still think that Scholes is a great player.

“With Darren Fletcher, Tom Cleverley, Anderson and Nick Powell, it gives me a lot of different options.”

In July, Anderson told ManUtd.com he was determined to put an injury-strewn couple of seasons behind him and now, with Scholes, Carrick and Ryan Giggs left in Manchester for tonight’s match in Romania against CFR Cluj, the Brazilian will be hoping for a chance to shine in Sir Alex’s midfield.

“This season is very important,” he said. “I need to prove what I can do. I know the boss and my team-mates believe in me, I’ve just had bad luck. Hopefully I can get a run of playing, enjoy my football and help the team [win trophies].”