With all the talk about possible signings for United today, the news that new Everton manager Roberto Martinez is readying a raid on Manchester United for Brazilian midfielder Anderson, will probably come as a bit of a surprise.
But, with Moyes obviously keen on Leighton Baines and allegedly Marounne Fellaini, perhaps it shouldn’t be such a surprise Martinez has spotted a chance to obtain something in return.
Surely Moyes wouldn’t offload United’s best attacking central midfielder?
Since joining United from Porto as a 19-yr-old, Anderson has flattered to deceive winning over as many fans as he’s lost.
Costing £20m back in 2007, Anderson has had some great days and some poor days with United and presumably not command anywhere near that figure despite some of the ludicrous fees being touted about and paid this summer. A value closer to £8m would be far more likely.
I mentioned it earlier how players will see this new era as a chance to reignite their Old Trafford career, Anderson is a case in point.
No one could argue he’s set United alight since his arrival but, as one of the most forward thinking players at the club, Anderson has the skills to unlock a defence with one killer pass, a skill United appear willing to pay Barcelona a club record fee in excess of £35m for!
Anderson just needs a run of games to be as good for United as Fabregas could be.
Yes he’s had his fitness problems and perhaps a questionable attitude but, what if he were to catch the eye of his new manager and receive a prolonged spell in the side? What if he could ditch that lackadaisical image and attitude? There’s no telling how good he could be.
Both he and Nani split popular opinion amongst United fans but it’s not what you or I think and no longer what Sir Alex Ferguson thinks of them, it’s what David Moyes thinks that matters and there’s no reason why Anderson should not be given a chance to continue to improve after an impressive pre-season tour.
If Martinez is serious and feels he can obtain the services of Anderson in return for losing either Fellaini, Baines or both; then I fear any trade between the two clubs could be drawn out as the likelihood of Anderson being willing to move the other way will be slim at best, especially if he detects a liking from the boss.
My thoughts are that Anderson is going nowhere other than United’s first team, hopefully to prove the many doubters and detractors wrong, very wrong.
