Anderson Talks Steven Gerrard, Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson and More

Former Manchester United midfielder Anderson has talked up his own Premier League career, suggesting his achievements far outstrip those of Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard. 

Gerrard announced his retirement from the game on Thursday, and while he enjoyed a hugely successful career with the Reds, he was never able to clinch the league title with the Merseyside club.

Anderson won four at United and has spoken of the glories he enjoyed in the English game, per ESPN Brasil (h/t Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News):

"

I won everything at the club. I won four Premier Leagues. A player like Gerrard, who like, played for Liverpool, a player who has history in world football, didn’t win one. And I achieve four playing for the club.

I was world champion at the club. I was Champions League champion. I played three Champions League finals for the club.

"

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Anderson, now of Internacional, spent eight years at Old Trafford after signing from Porto in 2007. His spell at the club was one of unfulfilled promise.

However, his stint at United, primarily under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, was one of great prosperity for the Red Devils. The ManUnitedWorld Twitter feed offered a reminder of that on the day of Gerrard’s retirement with the following post:

“I was world champion at the club,” the 28-year-old added, per the initial source. “I was Champions League champion. I played three Champions League finals for the club.”

Anderson may not have lit up the Premier League as often as he would have liked, but United supporters have some fond memories of him. At full throttle, he was an uncontainable presence in the middle of the park, while he also kept his nerve superbly in the 2007-08 Champions League final win over Chelsea, calmly scoring his penalty in the shootout.

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However, as noted by Luckhurst, Anderson often came in for criticism at United due to his attitude and was accused of being overweight. The player still has cheery recollections of his old team, though, having worked alongside some world-class player and under Ferguson.

"Ferguson got to me and said I should have much patience, that I wouldn’t play in my first year, I would adapt myself to English football, because it’s very hard football to play, as few Brazilians had played there,” the Brazilian said, suggesting the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez were established figures in the team.

Anderson has had a mixed time at Internacional. In 2015, he helped the team to the regional title, the Campeonato Gaucho.

However, Anderson was suspended by Inter in October after punching his club team-mate Willian during a training session. He’s now back in the team and featured in the recent 1-0 loss to Corinthians on Monday.