Manchester United Fans Club

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Anderson is starting to show signs he deserves his tag of the world’s best young player.

Ferguson says he did not want to get carry away when he was first told the 19-year-old was the planet’s most proming youngster but the United boss is now starting to think the praise is justified.

“Anderson has been absolutely superb. The boy has definitely got something special,” Ferguson told the Daily Telegraph.

“There was an urgency to get him once we’d scouted him, even though he’d broken his leg and had been out for four or five months.

“The reports we were getting were saying that he was the best young player in the world. At the time, I was saying, ‘For God’s sake, let’s calm down a bit here.’

“I knew he had real potential, but I didn’t want to put labels on him like that. But we’ve been delighted with him and he has proven himself to be a true central midfield player.

“He can tackle, he’s lightning quick, he’s brave and he can pass the ball. What he’s got to prove is his goalscoring ability because that’s something that Scholesy has always given us.”

Anderson, a summer signing from Porto, excelled in the recent 2-2 draw against Arsenal and Ferguson believes he showed signs he can be as good as, if not better than Cesc Fabregas after outshining the Spaniard on the day.

“Fabregas is going through a golden period at Arsenal, but I thought Anderson dominated that position,” added Ferguson.