Man United’s Brazilian midfielder has signed a new deal with the club, which will see him stay until 2015.

The 22-year old had been suffering from injuries and survived a horror car crash earlier on in the year. This resulted in him missing many games and recently he has been linked with a move away from the club.

In recent games Anderson has impressed and scored a vital goal against Valencia that insured United finished top of the group, and has now been rewarded with a new contract.

Speaking to ManUtd.com, Anderson said: "This is the best club to be at and I would like to thank everyone for the great support I have received over the years.

"I am looking forward to winning many more trophies with this club and I am so pleased to have signed a new contract."

Sir Alex Ferguson told ManUtd.com: “We are delighted Anderson has signed a new contract. Anderson has developed tremendously since joining the Club and he has fantastic potential at only 22 years of age, he is going to be a really top player.”

A few rumours last night suggested that Man United midfielder Anderson had been pulled unconscious from a burning car. These reports have been confirmed and Anderson is lucky to be alive.

The 22-year old was driving his £125,000 car after leaving a nightclub in Portgual, smashing into a wall at around 7am. An unconscious Anderson was pulled from the car, just moments before it exploded.

The Audi R8 is a two-seater car but there were two other people in the car with him, his friend and an unknown woman. It’s thought that the woman came off worse but all three have been released from hospital.

Anderson had been recovering from a knee injury. A spokesman for Anderson said he'd suffered "an almighty scare" and that he should soon return to Manchester to continue his recovery.

According to a paper called Jornal de Noticias a hospital spokesman said: "The three were given medical discharge at the end of Saturday morning. They only had minor and superficial injuries. The young woman needed the most treatment, but only small things."

Good luck explaining that to Sir Alex Ferguson.

If Manchester United want winger Angel di Maria then it rumours have it that it will be United midfielder Anderson who may have to pay the price.

The Argentine International has a price tag rumoured to be around the £38 million mark, which United are unlikely to pay. But a compromise could be made, which would see Man United midfielder Anderson plus £10 million be exchanged for the winger.

The 22 year-old who is currently plying his trade with Portuguese side Benfica has also been linked with other clubs such as Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City.

Di Maria could be a fantastic edition to the squad; he’s an exciting prospect who could flourish at Man United. He’s got bags of talent and a lot of skill, well worth watching on youtube if you have a spare few minutes.

Anderson’s had a mixed season for United, there have been a few descent performances but he did disappear off to Brazil, he returned and unfortunately for him, his season ended early after a rupturing a cruciate ligament. His main issue is that he is inconsistent, if he improves that; we’d probably see him playing in the first team more often.

Is Sir Alex ready to call time on Anderson’s career at Old Trafford? At £38 million, that’s probably too expensive for United, especially for one player.

Realistically United can’t afford that price tag, there are reports that United are considering selling Zoran Tosic. He may not be worth as much as Anderson but he could be used as a bargaining deal, if he is already on the way out of the club. Just a thought and probably won't go any further than that!

Man United defender Rio Ferdinand has been hit by many injuries this season, it has been revealed today that the new England captaion will miss the friendly against Egypt next Wednesday.

United were hoping to have both Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic back for the game against West Ham last Tuesday. Vidic made his comeback but Ferdinand suffered a slight niggle in his back, which United decided not to risk.

It had been confirmed after the 3-0 win over West Ham that Ferdinand wouldn’t be fit for the Carling Cup final this Sunday, and now we know that he won’t be fit for the England friendly and possible the second leg of the tie against AC Milan.

"He [Ferdinand] won't be fit for the England game," Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said. "That is obvious."

"It is a blow for us because I was looking forward to having Ferdinand and Vidic back on Tuesday," Sir Alex continued. "Unfortunately, it wasn't to be.

"You never know with back injuries and we have been through this before, but we don't think it is too serious.

"I don't think he will be fit for the AC Milan game but I don't think it will be long afterwards. We think he could be back in two weeks."

There has been talk that Ferdinand may have to retire from International football to prolong his club football, but Sir Alex said that hasn’t even been mentioned.

"I don't think we are at the stage where he should be concentrating on one part of his life in terms of international and domestic football”

"That has never been any issue.

"I have never discussed it with him and I don't think he has ever thought about that himself."

Earlier on this morning it was also confirmed that Anderson would miss the remainder of the season due to rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

Yet more injuries for United, this has been a difficult season for United injury wise but we are coping and that is thanks to a squad full of quality.

It has been confirmed this morning that Man United midfielder Anderson has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament, which will sideline him for the rest of the season.

Anderson made his comeback for Man United’s first team on Tuesday against West Ham, which lasted only 16 minutes due to picking up that injury.

Anderson will now miss the rest of the season but Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is confident that he will be ready for the start of the 2010/2011 season.

It will come as a major blow for Anderson as well, he would obviously want to be playing for United but it will also see the 21-year old out of the World Cup this summer.

Man United midfielder Anderson has had a mixed season for United, he has gone from being linked with a move away, to having a few great performances, disappearing to Brazil and being linked with a move away again.

On the 25th August 2009 it was being reported that Anderson had, had a major bust-up with manager Sir Alex Ferguson. It was believed that Anderson had said that he wanted to quit and Sir Alex granting his wish.

The following day there was an interview with Anderson printed by the Daily Mail the 21-year old said:

"I thought that, without Cristiano Ronaldo around, I could to play more and that has been my challenge from pre-season onwards.

"But the coach decides the teams and to discuss this with him is foolish because he is the chief. I do not want to leave United. No.

"Sir Alex Ferguson has demanded a bigger effort from me and I accept that. Because to get into this United team is very complicated and difficult for any player." 

The summer transfer window closed and the midfielder was still at Old Trafford. On the 30th September 2009 Man United beat Wolfsburg 2-1 at home, Anderson had a successful game, which resulted in Sir Alex singing his praises.

Sir Alex said: : “I think we had a very good team performance tonight in terms of our football”

“I think Michael and Anderson in central midfield had particularly good games for us.”

Everything was fine until the January transfer window came around and the Brazilian was being linked with a move away, again. Things took a turn for the worse when it was being reported that Anderson didn’t turn up for training.

It was believed that Anderson felt the full force of Sir Alex Ferguson’s wrath after United’s 2-1 loss to Man City in the first leg of the Carling Cup final. He was then left out of the squad to play Hull. Days later Anderson was in Brazil without the clubs permission.

Since then he hasn’t played for the first team, he has played for the reserves. He was named in the squad to play Everton last weekend but wasn’t named in the starting line-up or on the bench.

He has been named in the squad who face West Ham tonight and some quotes have appeared in the press today.

"The conversations with Ferguson are private but I have explained my situation," said Anderson.
"I went to Brazil to think about my future and not to negotiate with other clubs.

"One of my dreams this season is to make the Brazil squad for the World Cup but the fact is that if I do not play for United then [the national coach] Dunga is not going to be interested in me.

"This is very hard for me because I need minutes on the field during the coming matches. I always had a good relation with Ferguson. He has asked me for more effort and I accept that, but I need more chances to play in the first team."

"I have won titles in Manchester but still the people have not seen my real performance on the field"

"I am not a machine. It is impossible to function 100% in each match and I accept that I have not played well during some matches but those were not significant enough to stop me playing for a long time."

"The decision not to ask me to travel to Milan was down to the coach," noted Anderson. "I just hope I have more luck and can play in the return game.

"I am a professional footballer and my responsibility is to United. Am I happy? I would say I am optimistic. If I play more games then I will be happy. But that is normal.

"Some European clubs have asked about me but, as far as I am concerned, my future is still with United.
"I am not finished here and I'm convinced that I can offer much to this team in the decisive moments of the season."

We will have to wait and see what happens with him but I believe it would be a shame to see him leave in the summer. He is only 21, which gives him plenty of time to improve and start becoming more consistent in his performances.

He has the quality to become a regular in the Man United team, he just needs to keep his head down, train well and I am sure Fergie will put him back into the team.

If anyone was wondering where midfielder Anderson was last night, apparently he is currently in his homeland Brazil. Anderson didn’t turn up to training on Monday after being left out of the squad to play Hull City, he went missing but he is ok, he is currently in Brazil.

Apparently after flying to Brazil, Anderson met Vasco Da Gama's director of football Rodrigo Caetano. Caetano has said that he didn’t talk to Anderson about a possible transfer.

Caetano said: "He's a great kid but, in terms of trading him, it's very unlikely.
"He has a good contract with Manchester and I cannot keep feeding this type of pipedream."

It is believed that Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will now fine Anderson two weeks wages which will add up to £80,000. It is also now likely that Anderson will be put up for sale, Fergie won’t stand for it.

Flying out of the country without the clubs permission really isn’t a bright idea. Besides he missed all the fun at Old Trafford.

Man United’s 21-year old midfielder Anderson has put his Old Trafford future in doubt after not turning up for training yesterday. Anderson wasn’t included in the Man United squad for Hull. that was after feeling the full force of Sir Alex Ferguson’s ‘hair dryer’ treatment after United’s 2-1 loss to Man City.

Anderson has reportedly said that he was fit to play against Hull and was furious to have been left out.

Anderson is only 21-years old and ok, he has got some improving to do but we have to trust Sir Alex Ferguson. Many moaned about Darren Fletcher being rubbish, look at him now. If Anderson isn’t good enough for Man United, Fergie will get rid of him.

If it is true and Anderson has gone off in a strop then that really won’t help things. Fergie won’t stand for that and he probably won’t be in the squad for the game against Manchester City tomorrow evening.

Hopefully this is just another case of the press making a mountain out of a mole hill.

If you believe what you read then this summer Sir Alex Ferguson will be selling £80 million worth of his squad. The Sunday Mirror believe that Sir Alex will sell Dimitar Berbatov, Luis Nani, Anderson, Nemanja Vidic and Zoran Tosic.

The Sunday mirror claim that a “United insider” said:

“The four midfield players got a lot of criticism after the Leeds [United] game, but the biggest underperformer was [Dimitar] Berbatov.

“People say he’s got a great touch, and that isn’t in doubt, but this game is also about hunger and workrate.

“To put it bluntly, Berbatov doesn’t run around enough for this United team - and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by the people that matter most.”

Vidic has been linked with a move to Spanish side Real Madrid. Berbatov and Nani have been labelled as flops, Tosic can’t get into the team and I am surprised that Anderson was named in that list.

Most of the gossip that comes out into the public is rubbish but I don’t think anyone would be surprised if Nani left in January or in the summer. I would be surprised if Anderson and Vidic left. I am not sure about Berbatov or Tosic, Berbatov has to improve and we need to see more of Tosic to really tell if he is worthy of wearing the Man United shirt.

"I believed that I would play in the Community Shield but that is forgotten now.

"I thought that, without Cristiano Ronaldo around, I could to play more and that has been my challenge from pre-season onwards.

"But the coach decides the teams and to discuss this with him is foolish because he is the chief. I do not want to leave United. No.

"Sir Alex Ferguson has demanded a bigger effort from me and I accept that. Because to get into this United team is very complicated and difficult for any player."

That is a bit of good news, it seems like recently Man United have only been getting bad press, for example- Cristiano Ronaldo leaving, Carlos Tevez leaving.

This Sunday Man United take on Chelsea in the Community Shield and Man United midfielder Anderson has spoken about it ahead of the match. It is great to hear that Man United players are ready to show everyone the Manchester United after Cristiano Ronaldo.

After loosing Cristiano Ronaldo this summer, Sir Alex Ferguson has said that the player is irreplaceable so instead of trying to replace him. The system is going to be changed and he is going to believe in Man United's youngsters.

“We knew we could never replace Ronaldo," Ferguson said. "When you’ve had someone who is the best at what he does, it is no good trying to find someone to do the same job."

“And when you know you can’t replace someone or something, you look for a different way. People have misread our situation and they have underestimated our ability to improve players. That is an area where we have proved successful in the past.”

So which youngsters should Man United look for in the upcoming season?

Anderson- After joining Man United in the summer of 2007, Anderson has made many first team appearances. Anderson made his debut against Sunderland on the 1st September 2007. Anderson's scored his first goal for Man United in the 2009 pre-season in the Audi Cup against Boca Juniors. Last season Anderson made 38 appearances for United, I expect him to make many more first team appearances, step up to the plate and score more goals. This could be Anderson's season.

Danny Welbeck- Welbeck is another youngster who has made a few first team appearances for Man United. We mainly see Welbeck in the Carling Cup and FA Cup but he has also played in the Premier League. Welbeck has been with United for his entire playing career and he was called up into the first team in January 2008. Welbeck made his first team debut against Al-Hilal in Sami Al-Jaber's testimonial match when he came on as a substitute for Anderson. Last season Welbeck made 13 appearances for Man United, scoring three goals. Welbeck is only 18 years old.

Darron Gibson- Since joining Man United in 2005, Gibson has go out on loan to Royal Antwerp and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Gibson was a regular for Man United's reserves during the 2005-6 season, and he did make a few appearances for the first team during the 2006-7 pre-season. Gibson made his Premier League debut on the 15th November 2008. Since then he has played in the Champion's League, FA Cup and Carling Cup. Gibson is 21 years old and last season he made 15 appearances for United, scoring three goals.

Fabio Da Silva- Fabio is 19 years old and he joined Man United in February 2007 along with his identical twin brother Rafael. Both players were unable to play for United until they turned 18 in July 2008. Fabio made his first appearance for United on the 4th August 2008 when he came on in the second half replacing Patrice Evra. Since joining Man United Fabio has picked up a shoulder injury and after recovering from that he picked up a calf injury which has kept him out of quite a few games. When Fabio has played he has shone so hopefully he can have an injury free season and show everyone what he has got. Last season Fabio made two first team appearances.

Federico Macheda- During the end of last season Macheda burst onto the first team scene after winning Man United two important matches. Macheda scored in his Man United's Under 18's debut and also his first team debut. Macheda joined Man United in 2007, he is 17 years old and Man United have high hopes for him.
Macheda made his first team debut for Man United on the 30th March 2009 in a Premier League match against Aston Villa. Man United were 2-1 down with not long to go, Sir Alex Ferguson brought on Macheda for Nani with 60 minutes gone. Cristiano Ronaldo equalised in the 80th minute and Macheda won the match for United in stoppage time. This immediately put Macheda in the spotlight.
For United's next two games Macheda was named on the bench, the first was a Champion's League match, the second was a Premier League match against Sunderland. It was against Sunderland that Macheda made his second appearance, he came on for Dimitar Berbatov. Macheda had only been on for 46 seconds and he scored Man United's winning goal, it was a lucky goal but who cares. Last season Macheda made four appearances for United, scoring two goals. I think that Macheda could have a fantastic season for United.


Jonny Evans- Evans was another youngster who had an amazing season for United last season. He is only 21 years old but he plays like he is older than that. Evans made his Manchester United debut on 26th September 2007 against Coventry City. Last season he filled in for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic if they were suspended or injured. He immediately looked comfortable and he really did impress. He made 37 appearances for United last season and it will be difficult for him this season. Ferdinand and Vidic are a strong partnership but he is making it very difficult for them and they know that if their form drops he will be straight in there.

Luis Nani- When Nani joined Man United in the summer of 2007 he was being called the next Cristiano Ronaldo. Unfortunately he has been far from that but now that Ronaldo has gone I believe he can step up and show everyone that he does have quality and talent.
Nani made his debut for United during the 2007 pre-season against Shenzhen Shangqingyin, Nani scored and Man United won 6-0. Nani also scored in the following game against Guangzhou Pharmaceutical. Nani has made some great performances for United, most notably against Arsenal in the FA Cup on the 16th February 2008 but he has also had some really poor performances. Last season Nani made 31 appearances for United, scoring six goals. I expect much more from Nani this season and I think he has no choice but to perform, if he doesn't I think he could well be sold.

Rafael Da Silva- Rafael is 19 years old and he joined Man United in February 2007 along with his identical twin brother Fabio. Both brothers were unable to play for United until they turned 18 in July 2008. Rafael made his first appearance in a friendly match against Peterborough United on the 4th August 2008. Rafael has put in many impressive performances for United especially in the FA Cup and Carling Cup.
Like his brother, Rafael is highly rated and many believe that he can become one Man United's first team regulars.
Last season Rafael made 28 appearances for United, scoring one goal, which was against Arsenal.

Ritchie de Laet- The 20-year-old joined Man United from Stoke on the 8th January 2009, since joining Man United he has been playing for the reserve team. De Laet made his first appearance for the Manchester United first team on the final Premier League game of the season against Hull City on the 24th May 2009.
Last night Ritchie played for Man United against Valencia in United's one and only pre-season game at Old Trafford. He shined last night and he was my Man United's Man Of The Match. If he plays like he did last night he will be playing a few games for United over the course of next season.

Zoran Tosic- Tosic is 22-years-old and he joined Man United on the 2nd January 2009. He made his first team appearance, 22 days later on the 24th January against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup fourth round. Three days later he was playing in the Premier League when he came on in the 77th minute for Berbatov. Tosic has been a regular for Man United's reserve team and he has been very impressive.
Tosic scored his first senior goal for the club on the 26th July 2009 in an 8–2 victory over Hangzhou Greentown during Man United's pre-season campaign in Asia.
Last season Tosic made three appearances for Man United's first team but I am sure he will make more in the upcoming season.

There are other youngsters who can break through into the first team but I think the players above a more likely to shine this season when they are played. Who are your players to look out for?

Brazil legend Carlos Alberto has slammed Manchester United for poaching Brazil's young players. Alberto won the 1970 World Cup and he says Man United are 'raping' Brazilian football.

Man United have recently secured 17 year old Dodo's signature and we do have other Brazilian youngsters, for example- Anderson, Rafael, Fabio and Possebon.

It is disgraceful United are allowed to rape Brazilian football," the former Brazil captain told the News of the World.
"The big teams have the money and can take our best players. It is a big problem in Brazil. The clubs cannot keep hold of them if they are good young players because they can make much more money in other countries."

"FIFA must do something. They have an obligation to save football. If we could have conditions where we could keep these players in Brazil it would be much better for us"
"Three or four years ago clubs had to pay teams if they wanted players but now many players are owned by agents - and clubs can't afford to keep them"
"They should change the law so at least until the age of 20 or 21 the best players are playing in Brazil and get some experience before moving to Europe."

I can half understand what he is saying. Big teams should play the clubs for the players but what Man United (and other teams it isn't all Man United) is giving the youngsters a chance of a better life and their dream career.

Football is a business and if you want to be the best and earn money then you need the best players. I wouldn't be complaining if it was Brazil taking all of the English talent.

These players who are coming to England have their own mind and sometimes they need and want to provide a better life for them and their family. There is lots of money in the Premier League and Man United can do that. Doesn't mean it is right but that is the way it is.

Fobazo.com have informed me that they have launched a competition and are offering you the chance to meet Manchester United midfielder Anderson.

You will personally get to meet and greet Anderson after the game against Manchester City, Saturday 9th May 2009.

Anderson has given away a VIP ticket to the game at Old Trafford, after the game the winner will meet the 21 year old star.

If you are interested, click here and it will take you straight to the competition. Good luck.