English Premier League: Nani backs Anderson to shine as Smalling says United has fantastic atmosphere
Signing in the summer of 2007 alongside the likes of Luis Nani and Michael Carrick by Manchester United, Anderson has failed to impress thus far amongst the ranks of superstars at Old Trafford. Manchester United paid Porto a whopping
17 million pound fee for what was supposed to be a top class attacking midfielder but Anderson has not succeeded in living up to the fans expectations at Old Trafford ever since his move from Portugal.
Anderson is seen by many as a talented footballer no doubt but his work ethic is something that has come under criticism by several sections of Manchester United supporters thus far. However, last season the same supporters were
voicing their discontent over the frustrating figure that was Luis Nani.
Most fans thought that Nani would have a little or no future at Old Trafford after the winger fell out with Sir Alex Ferguson in December of 2009 and then was left out of the side for the Manchester club for almost a month till
he got his first team spot back in the end of January of 2010. Ever since his dispute with the old Scotsman at Old Trafford, Nani has completely transformed as a player, the differences between Ferguson and Nani have been resolved now and the player is seen
by United’s faithful fans as the next big thing.
Some have even compared him to the former FIFA World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo. Luis Nani has already assisted five goals in the 2010-2011 Premier League season for Manchester United and the winger has also scored three
goals in the eight league matches that he has started for United this season.
Nani recently told Manchester United’s official website in an interview that "Everyone knows the quality that Anderson has”. Nani and Anderson are thought to be very close off-the-field friends as both of them speak the same language
i.e. Portuguese.
Anderson got injured in the spring of 2010 as the midfielder injured his knee ligaments in F.A Cup encounter for the men in red. Nani commented on the Brazilian’s career thus far at Manchester United as he said that, "He was unlucky
with the knee injury that he suffered because he was just starting to play well and show us what we know he can do. We all know here that he is an amazing player. He is strong, he is a very clever player too and he can be a very important player in this team.
He is a strong character too, which you need at this club. He's not scared of anything. He'll take the ball in any situation and he can be a top player for Manchester United."
Manchester United’s star defender Chris Smalling is also someone who made the headlines recently due to his marvelous performance for the Red Devil’s in their 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Carling Cup at Old Trafford.
Smalling made his move to Manchester United in the summer transfer window of 2010 for around 8 million pounds.
The English U-21 defender told the press in his latest interview that “It’s been great so far. I've been made to feel very welcome by everybody which has really helped. Going on tour in the summer was key in terms of the settling
in process as I got to know a lot of the lads well. It's a real family club with a great atmosphere."
Smalling is seen by many at Old Trafford as a successor to Rio Ferdinand, Chris himself has not shied away from ambition as he concluded his interview by commenting that, "I always hoped I'd get a chance to prove myself at the
top level because I believed I could do it, but making your way up the football ladder is tough and not everyone can make it.”
He further added that, "When I went for my trial at Fulham I'd already applied to Loughborough University to study business management with economics. I'd have been happy to go to university, but obviously it was my dream to play
football. Joining United was a real shock but a great surprise."
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