OLE Gunnar Solskjaer has backed under-fire Anderson to confound his critics and become a United legend.
The Brazilian midfielder has come under increasing pressure to live up to his hefty price tag and reputation.
A reported bust-up with Sir Alex Ferguson has only added to doubts about his future - but a goal for the reserves on Thursday night was the best way to grab his manager's attention.
And reserve boss, Solskjaer, insists Anderson will reproduce the form that made him an instant fan-favourite in his first season at Old Trafford.
"Ando has shown his qualities and attitude," said Solskjaer. "Now it is a case of him taking his chance when he gets it and putting down a marker to stay in the team. "He is going to be a big player for Manchester United."
The 21-year-old, who cost around £18m when signed from Porto in 2007, volunteered to play for the reserves against Wigan. It was his response to calls from Ferguson for a bigger effort to win back his place.
Solkjaer belief
Though Fergie has denied a row with Anderson, the Brazilian is desperate to prove he is no one season wonder.
And Solskjaer is convinced he can do so.
"It was all glory for him in his first season, but then you sometimes get a bit of a reaction to that," he said. "It happens to a lot of players.
"But with Cristiano Ronaldo gone, we need players like Anderson to step up and say `here is what all the talk was about when you signed me.'
"It is always going to be a big challenge at United to get a place in the first team.
"No player at United is going to step aside and say `here you take my place.' "You have to fight for it and he is more than capable of doing that as he is proving.
"He volunteered to play for the reserves. Asking to play just shows his professionalism and determination to succeed."
Meanwhile, Solskjaer takes United to Sir Matt Busby's birthplace on Sunday vowing to uphold the legacy Lanarkshire's most famous son left at Old Trafford.
United's reserve side tackle Motherwell at Fir Park for the Sir Matt Busby Shield, a match arranged to commemorate the former Reds manager's 100th birthday.
"Not long after I came to the club from Norway, I had a long chat with Sir Bobby Charlton," recalled Solskjaer. "Sir Matt had passed away by then but I always remember Sir Bobby telling me about a lesson that had been passed down from him.
"He basically used to remind his players before every game that the people coming to watch them worked hard for a living all week. When they came to the football on a Saturday they want to be entertained.
"That is a fantastic lesson for any young player to be taught."
Stuart Mathieson
The Brazilian midfielder has come under increasing pressure to live up to his hefty price tag and reputation.
A reported bust-up with Sir Alex Ferguson has only added to doubts about his future - but a goal for the reserves on Thursday night was the best way to grab his manager's attention.
And reserve boss, Solskjaer, insists Anderson will reproduce the form that made him an instant fan-favourite in his first season at Old Trafford.
"Ando has shown his qualities and attitude," said Solskjaer. "Now it is a case of him taking his chance when he gets it and putting down a marker to stay in the team. "He is going to be a big player for Manchester United."
The 21-year-old, who cost around £18m when signed from Porto in 2007, volunteered to play for the reserves against Wigan. It was his response to calls from Ferguson for a bigger effort to win back his place.
Solkjaer belief
Though Fergie has denied a row with Anderson, the Brazilian is desperate to prove he is no one season wonder.
And Solskjaer is convinced he can do so.
"It was all glory for him in his first season, but then you sometimes get a bit of a reaction to that," he said. "It happens to a lot of players.
"But with Cristiano Ronaldo gone, we need players like Anderson to step up and say `here is what all the talk was about when you signed me.'
"It is always going to be a big challenge at United to get a place in the first team.
"No player at United is going to step aside and say `here you take my place.' "You have to fight for it and he is more than capable of doing that as he is proving.
"He volunteered to play for the reserves. Asking to play just shows his professionalism and determination to succeed."
Meanwhile, Solskjaer takes United to Sir Matt Busby's birthplace on Sunday vowing to uphold the legacy Lanarkshire's most famous son left at Old Trafford.
United's reserve side tackle Motherwell at Fir Park for the Sir Matt Busby Shield, a match arranged to commemorate the former Reds manager's 100th birthday.
"Not long after I came to the club from Norway, I had a long chat with Sir Bobby Charlton," recalled Solskjaer. "Sir Matt had passed away by then but I always remember Sir Bobby telling me about a lesson that had been passed down from him.
"He basically used to remind his players before every game that the people coming to watch them worked hard for a living all week. When they came to the football on a Saturday they want to be entertained.
"That is a fantastic lesson for any young player to be taught."
Stuart Mathieson
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