Anderson reveals 'lots of players want out' of Manchester United, admitting he will not return to Old Trafford

The Brazilian midfielder completed a loan move to Serie A side Fiorentina last month in a move he hopes to make permanent and has revealed he is not the only one to consider leaving the club

Jack de Menezes
Monday 03 February 2014 16:54 GMT
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Manchester United midfielder Anderson, on loan at Fiorentina, has confirmed that he will not be coming back to the English club
Manchester United midfielder Anderson, on loan at Fiorentina, has confirmed that he will not be coming back to the English club (GETTY IMAGES)

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Manchester United midfielder Anderson has issued a warning to supporters claiming that a number of his former team-mates are looking to leave Old Trafford, following his own departure to Fiorentina on loan last month.

Anderson has struggled to tie down a regular berth since arriving at United in 2007, and has struggled to make any league appearances since David Moyes took the reins from the retired Sir Alex Ferguson, resulting in his temporary departure to Italy which is expected to become permanent in the summer.

The Brazilian midfielder has cut a frustrating figure for United fans since completing his inflated £26m move from Porto seven years ago, having failed to push on and become the player that many – including Ferguson – had predicted.

A number of first-team stars are out of contract this summer with the futures of Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and veteran Rio Ferdinand currently unknown, and Anderson believes that it is the players that want to leave the club in order to broaden their experience of the sport.

“I am sure that lots of players want out,” said 25-year-old Anderso. “Especially people like myself and Nani, who have been in Manchester for seven or eight years.

“Manchester United is a huge club, a club that does everything for its players, but sometimes a footballer wants to leave just to experience a different way to play football and to learn something as well.”

Anderson stopped short of criticising either Moyes or the club, and wanted to express his gratitude for what the club has done for him over the years – four Premier League titles, two League Cups and a Champions League on the trophy front – but admitted his time at the club was up.

“Playing in Manchester was great, it is a prestigious club with a lot of history,” Anderson added.

“But I was there for seven or eight years and I want to show Fiorentina my quality and fight for a spot in the starting line-up. I thank all Manchester United fans for their love, but I'm here to stay.”

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