Adam Dennehey WAFU manager
Think about this for a second. A firework doesn’t last a long time. It builds up with anticipation, let’s rip, dazzles for a few seconds and fades out leaving its audience appreciating its sight.
Without going over the top a footballer’s career is similar to a firework. A career even at the top doesn’t last as long as a player would think starting out and with football and life being unpredictable, it’s vital for those years when a player can dazzle that they make every moment count.
Anderson’s time as a Manchester United player has been frustrating. After a poor debut at home to Sunderland right at the start of the 2007/08 season, the Brazilian improved as the year went on and ended a fine season scoring in Moscow in the Champions League final shoot-out.
Big things were expected of Anderson when he signed from FC Porto. However aside from a good end to the 2010/11 season and a fine start to last season, his career hasn’t quite taken off and referring back to fire-work terminology he has just sparkled instead of exploding onto the world-stage as a centre-midfielder.
There comes a time when a manager puts favouritism and loyalty to a side and asks himself the honest question whether the player is actually good enough.
In the case of Anderson, five years after signing, there are still doubts over whether he can develop into the player that many believed by now he should have become.
Injuries and competition for places at United haven’t helped his cause but if he’s not going to start for the club next season, he should be moved on giving him a fresh challenge in his career.
Of course though, with doubts about the long-term future of Darren Fletcher and the likely departure of Paul Pogba it wouldn’t be a surprise if Anderson stays and gets one last chance to prove himself whether he is desering of it or not.
By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87
