Anderson Casting Wide Net

Following Manchester United’s FA Cup fourth round triumph over Fulham, Anderson insisted that the Reds’ sights are set on all three major honours this season.

Perched atop the Barclays Premier League, preparing for a Champions League second round clash with Real Madrid and now safely into the fifth round of the FA Cup, the Reds are well-placed as the season’s nitty-gritty stage approaches.

With Sir Alex Ferguson’s sizeable squad currently boasting a favourable bill of health and the boss rotating personnel successfully, Anderson feels United have the talent pool to achieve all their aims.

“Of course,” the Brazilian told MUTV. “We have unbelievable players. I know the boss has two or three teams. He doesn't play eleven players all the time, he changes players and I think he has an unbelievable squad.

“I don't want to be the manager at this moment because there are a lot of quality players. The boss tries to keep everyone happy. Sometimes that's difficult, but that's the club; this is Manchester United.”

The Reds’ comfortable triumph over Fulham ensured a last-16 berth in the FA Cup, a competition which attracts less attention than domestic or European rule, but one which Anderson insists is important to everyone in the United dressing room.

“It's very important for everyone,” he said. “Rio's been here for ten years and he hasn't won the FA Cup. It's important for everyone.

"Every competition is important at this moment for Manchester United. Four-one is a good result but we have not finished here. We have three or four more games to get to the final.”

The Brazilian shone against the Cottagers, pulling the strings in midfield during his 70-minute outing, though he admits that he has a little further to go before he will attain full match fitness after missing several weeks with a hamstring injury.

“I'm not one-hundred percent fit yet,” he said. “I need maybe one or two more games, then I think I'll be one-hundred percent. It's important for me to not have any injuries anymore.

“Just when I think everything is fine I have to get back again, stay out for one month, come back and now it starts to go slowly. No problems, training is good, no problems.”