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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
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Jack Flintham

Anderson told he could have been 'best in the world' at Man United - and why he wasn't

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster believes that Anderson had what it takes to be 'best in the world' at one stage of his career.

Foster and the Brazilian played alongside each other at the Theatre of Dreams under Sir Alex Ferguson. The current Watford player did not enjoy the best of times in Manchester and would find later success away from the Reds.

Anderson spent eight years at United but never seemed to live up to the potential that Sir Alex saw in him when he was signed from Porto. One of the high points of both their Reds careers came against Tottenham Hotspur in the 2009 League Cup final.

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The now 38-year-old stopper was named Man of the Match in the final, having saved a spot-kick in a penalty shootout which United won 4-1. Anderson also played a pivotal role scoring to help the Reds eventually lift the trophy.

Speaking on the UTD Podcast, Foster made a bold claim about the retired midfielder. He explained: "I still think the class of the penalty takers that day - honestly, top class - was Carlos Tevez and Anderson.

" Anderson, you should get him on the podcast. He could have been the best player in the world at one point, I promise you he could have.

"Everybody would say that he could have been the best in the world at one point. But he just didn't care, he didn't care about anything.

"Honestly, he didn't care about anything. You put him on a pitch and he was like that.

"Carlos Tevez was the same sort of thing. Put him on the pitch and oh my god.

"There has got to be something in being South American, there's got to be something in that."

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