The dynamic Brazilian Anderson is growing in influence
in United's engine room, dictating the rhythm of the game
David Pleat
Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernández will receive the
plaudits, and deservedly so, but there was another in
Manchester
United's ranks at the Reebok Stadium
who caught the eye. The visitors' effervescent, left-footed
Brazilian Anderson was the instigator of so many of United's
brilliant moves on Saturday, setting the team's tone. As he
continues to improve, he will soften the blow of Paul Scholes's
retirement.
Anderson's increased confidence was instrumental to United's
domination, the midfielder collecting the ball deep from his
goalkeeper, David de Gea, when his centre-backs split and
beginning the passing movements forward. Neither Nigel Reo-Coker
nor Mark Davies wanted to leave their safe areas and tighten so
high up the field, allowing Anderson to dictate the rhythm. In this
defensive phase, Phil Jones and Patrice Evra pushed forward, which
forced Chris Eagles and Martin Petrov deeper and offered the
visitors more space in which to begin their build-up play.
Michael Carrick, who replaced Tom Cleverley, predictably
played his deep-lying, safe game, rarely close enough for a pop at
goal, but always ready to cope with rare counter‑attacking danger.
Anderson has more vitality and energy. He received and searched for
a front colleague to play a progressive forward pass, then followed
that delivery forward to receive again and progress up the pitch.
With his waspish left foot and change of pace, the Brazilian's form
is making up for Scholes's absence and the less game time being
enjoyed by Ryan Giggs.
Anderson's emergence shows the value of patience by both the
manager and the player. The midfielder commands and demands the
ball. He almost seems in love with it. His shooting and goals
record will improve as his support play takes him closer to goal,
as will his tracking of opponents and tackling as he plays more
regularly. But he is already charged with responsibility: he takes
the right‑wing corners, and his accuracy is better now than it was.
He is an infectiously enthusiastic presence, forever calling for
the ball.
Bolton had no answer. They had seemed determined to upset any
early rhythm mustered by United with a series of poorly timed
challenges, but this did not deter the visitors, whose early
delivery from wide positions and brilliant box movement gave them
three-goal daylight within the first 25 minutes. They swamped
Bolton's four-man mid-line and zipped the ball to the touchlines,
where Evra and Jones, my Guardian prediction for "buy of the
season", gleefully joined in. This was another merciless display.
Opponents must scratch their heads as they consider how best to
stop them. Getting tighter to Anderson may be one answer.