Anderson's Manchester United Career Is a Story of Unfulfilled Promise

Anderson will always be remembered by Manchester United fans. Both for his cool penalty in the shootout against Chelsea during the 2008 Champions League final and his song chanted by those in the stands.

Sadly, the days when, as the song goes, he was getting the better of Cesc Fabregas are long gone. It's one of the reasons why he will leave Old Trafford, either this month or in the summer, at what should be the peak of a once promising career.

He doesn't turn 27 until April, and he's out of contract at the end of the season. But there haven't been a flood of clubs expressing a desire to offer him a fresh start. 

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His story is one of unfulfilled promise. In December 2008, he won European football's Golden Boy award, given to the best player under 21 years old. Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Mario Gotze, Isco, Paul Pogba and Raheem Sterling have all got their names on the trophy, too.

And eight years ago, Anderson was considered to be in the same class. When he received the award in December 2008 he had already moved from Porto to United for £25 million and was a Premier League and European champion. 

The last time he was seen in a United shirt, he was sitting on the bench for the FA Cup third round tie with League One Yeovil. On his shorts was No. 28, losing his old No. 8 to Juan Mata while loaned to Fiorentina last season. 

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He has had good games for United. He played 38 times during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons, both of which ended with title wins. He started both legs of the 2009 Champions League semi-final as Arsenal were swept aside.

But he'll still be remembered as a failure. He's been unlucky with injuries, but the United staff will tell you dedication, discipline and work ethic were never his strong points. Not compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, who worked tirelessly during his spell at Old Trafford and left as the best player in the world.

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Anderson's legacy at United will be being talked about alongside Ralph Milne, William Prunier, Massimo Taibi and Bebe as one of the club's worst ever signings. That he cost so much and delivered so little guarantees him that.

Each time Fabregas comes back to Old Trafford, with Chelsea or whoever else he might sign for, the song will come roaring out of the Stretford End. But it will be sung as a dig at the Spaniard rather than any lasting tribute to Anderson.

He earned his place in the club's history with that penalty in the pouring rain in Moscow in 2008. But it could have been so much more.

Quotes obtained first-hand.