Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted with how Anderson is shaping up, claiming he will be a midfield legend at Old Trafford.
Brazilian told he can be Old Trafford legend
Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted with how Anderson is shaping up, claiming he will be the next midfield legend at Old Trafford.
The Manchester United chief sees the Brazilian as the next Roy Keane, who himself successfully replaced Bryan Robson as the darling of the Red Devils faithful.
The 20-year-old is set to be involved in the Carling Cup on Tuesday when United host Queens Park Rangers, and Ferguson is full of praise for the player who he paid Porto £18million for last year.
"Our style has changed over the last few years," said Ferguson.
"We've got different types of players to 10 years ago. You can't replicate every team with identical players - it's impossible.
"When I first came here they used to say Bryan Robson was the king and that you couldn't win a game without him.
"I began to believe it as well, because we didn't operate as well without him on the pitch.
"We had to change the mentality, change the mental toughness. They thought you could never find another Robson, but then Keane came along and filled the breach.
"Then they thought you'd never get another Keane, but then someone like Anderson steps through the door and the cycle just keeps going.
"Anderson's a different type of player altogether to Keane.
"But when you've lost Keane and you've got Paul Scholes coming to the end of his career, you say, 'Who's going to function for Manchester United?'
"Then a lad like Anderson comes in - just 19 years old when he joined us - and you see the level of his performance.
"You know he's going to become a terrific player and life moves on, United move on, it's inevitable."
Rafael praise
Ferguson also had praise for another Brazilian - young right-back Rafael, who has made a big impact at the club this season, including a stunning strike against Arsenal at the weekend.
"Rafael is such a gutsy character and he's got such talent," said the United boss.
"He's got great courage to play and he's a real breath of fresh air.
"He's got the Brazilian mentality of 'Give me the ball, I want to play', and every time we get the ball, he wants it. It's a great attribute to have for such a young kid.
"When he came on against Arsenal, he grabbed the game. He took us up a notch in the match.
"We've always thought highly of him, and that's why he's been playing quite regularly in our first team recently.
"It's not easy for an 18-year-old defender to go straight into the first team, but Rafael is one of the bright young players we have in the club at the moment and we're very pleased with him."
