United decide not to get tough with Anderson

MANCHESTER UNITED have opted not to bring Anderson back from Olympic duty with Brazil.

United were effectively given the green light to request Anderson’s presence at Old Trafford following a verdict reached in Switzerland by the Court of Arbitration for Sport saying FIFA had no right to demand players appear in Beijing at the expense of their clubs.

However, it was always unlikely the Red Devils would ask Anderson to return, despite their current injury problems.

Alex Ferguson is acutely aware of the pride Brazilians take in representing their country and any short term gain in having Anderson around may be offset in the future through a sheer lack of goodwill.

Although the judgement itself, reached by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, concerned only Lionel Messi of Barcelona, plus Schalke’s Brazilian defender Rafinha and fellow countryman Diego from Werder Bremen, it covers all players.

Half the Premier League have lost men to the Olympics, a tournament for U23s supplemented by three over-age players, with Liverpool — who are facing a midfield problem ahead of next week’s Champions League qualifier with Standard Liege — affected the most.

Rafael Benitez’s squad were already stretched before Steven Gerrard suffered a thigh injury against Valerenga this week.

Without Gerrard and knowing Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva are at the Olympics along with Ryan Babel, Benitez could be forced to play Xabi Alonso, which would cup-tie the Spaniard and make him less attractive to potential purchasers.

Despite that though Liverpool made it clear last night they have no intention of forcing their players to return from the Olympics.

Benitez has taken the view that although he would ideally like to have all his players available for next week’s Champions League qualifier and the first day of the Premier League season, he has no intention of denying his young stars the chance of a lifetime to win an Olympic medal.

Liverpool declined to comment officially yesterday on the surprise ruling but Benitez has let it be known he does not want to upset his three players who are about to start the tournament later this week, particularly Mascherano, who wants to win a second gold medal with Argentina.

To recall them now would certainly leave Benitez with three very unhappy players, all of whom have made it clear they want to be in China.

A club source said: “Liverpool want to make it clear that they have no intention of denying their players their wish of playing in the tournament.”