Anderson has no issues at United

Manchester United midfielder Anderson has claimed the only clubs he would not regard as a step down from life with the Red Devils are Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The Brazilian started Tuesday night’s FA Cup win over Reading just days after stories emerged claiming he had asked for a move three times, only for the requests to be rejected by manager Alex Ferguson.

Anderson has denied those stories are accurate, but almost six years after a move from Porto that could have cost the Red Devils £18million, the 24-year-old realises he still has so much to prove.

Indeed, after collecting Premier League and Champions League winners’ medals at the end of his first season with the Old Trafford club, it has been something of a slog for a player whose career has repeatedly been interrupted by injury.

It would be no surprise if Ferguson eventually decided Anderson was surplus to requirements, but the incentive for the player to prove his doubters wrong is clear.

“The only places you could go to from here are Real Madrid and Barcelona,” Anderson said.

“You can’t have another choice because the level at Manchester United is so big. If you come here, you are definitely going to win titles.

“I have won the Premier League three times. I have won the Champions League once and lost two finals.”

That does not tell the whole story. Anderson’s contribution to the 2008 Champions League final triumph over Chelsea in Moscow was to take a nerveless penalty in the shootout after being introduced just a minute before the end of extra-time.