From Champions League winner with Manchester United to Brazil’s second division.
Next summer will mark 12 months since Manchester United splashed out on signing Brazilian wonderkid Anderson from Porto.
The midfielder arrived billed as a potential Ronaldinho, although it was his combative displays which helped outclass Cesc Fabregas and Steven Gerrard in his early months which really dazzled United supporters.
His promising start at United trailed off, and now 28-years-old, his career is really off track.
Manchester United’s Anderson
Somewhat astoundingly, Anderson lasted at United until early 2015, when he was finally released to sign with Internacional on a free transfer.
His start at Internacional started embarrassingly, substituted after just 36 minutes in his second appearance, with his poor conditioning showing up.
This past weekend his trajectory reached a new low, with Internacional relegated out of the Brasileirao into the second division.
Manchester United’s Anderson (R) has a shot at goal
After 38 games Internacional finished in 17th place, with the bottom four teams all relegated.
Anderson on his part played 20 games, starting nine of them, scoring just once, while creating two assists.
A decade on from his switch to Old Trafford, he will be featuring in Brazil’s second tier next season unless he can persuade another club to take a gamble on him.
Manchester United’s Anderson celebrates with the trophy
Manchester United’s Anderson (L) scores during the penalty shoot out
Anderson’s first season at United saw him end up as a Champions League winner, with the midfielder scoring a penalty in the shoot out win over Chelsea in Moscow.
The future had looked so bright, but in the following years a combination of injuries, lack of focus, and failing to convince his managers he was worth a regular spot, saw him fade altogether.
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