Start to finish: After returning from his summer stint at the Olympics with a bronze medal, Anderson started seven of United’s first 11 league games – including the narrow defeats at Liverpool and Arsenal (his 50th United appearance). Despite a mid-season lay-off he was back to his combative best as the Reds closed in on the league title, although his most conspicuous efforts came in the latter stages of the Champions League.
In position: Deputising for the injured Michael Carrick, Anderson started the season protecting the back four while putting his engine to good use in support of the attack. The effervescent Brazilian, while never afraid of getting stuck in, also showed his creative side with a wealth of slide-rule passes in the final third.
Season highlight: Anderson may yet to have officially opened his United account but his reputation for scoring in crucial shoot-outs grew as he thumped home the winning penalty in the Carling Cup final at Wembley.
Vital contribution: Simply being there when the boss needed to call on his services, and never giving less than 100 per cent.
Any lows? A New Year ankle injury interrupted his early-season influence. Oh, and we’re still waiting for his first goal from open play – apparently he has an interesting celebration lined up…
Any other business? According to his team-mates, he doesn’t take himself too seriously. “He’s carefree, relaxed and tries things out,” said Ryan Giggs. “Hilarious,” was Owen Hargreaves’ verdict.
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