The Brazilian playmaker joined
Manchester United last summer from Porto and drastically altered
his game in order to provide Alex Ferguson with a ready-made
replacement for Paul Scholes.
Originally intended to be phased in throughout the season, the
20-year old immediately grasped his first-team opportunities to
become one of United’s most consistent performers with a host of
tenacious and vibrant displays.
Anderson admits that he did not expect to be such a prominent
member of the first team this year but is delighted that he has
finished his first Premier League season with two winners medals -
the domestic championship and the Champions League.
He told the Brazilian press: "The season was enormous for me, I
never believed I would play in so many matches and win the two
titles.
"To be a European champion so young is not easy for a man like
me. Now I need to continue working for next season to improve my
level in this club.
"Manchester United is the best club in the world and I want to
be in the XI in every match. We are the kings in Europe and England
without doubt."
Of his late contribution in Wednesday’s epic showdown, in which
he scored a penalty, Anderson said: "My mission in the final was to
score the penalty and I have fulfilled it.
"It was not easy because at that moment the tension on the pitch
was enormous. But I am a calm player and I was convinced that my
shot would beat Cech.
"Cristiano Ronaldo was very hurt after missing his penalty.
"I always had confidence in (Edwin) Van der Sar because in
training he does a lot of work on penalties. I was optimistic and
finally our keeper was a hero against Anelka."