Man Utd’s Anderson out for six months

Manchester United midfielder Anderson has lost any chance of playing for Brazil at the World Cup after being ruled out of action for six months with a serious knee injury.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Thursday that Anderson ruptured a cruciate ligament in the Premier League champions’ win over West Ham on Tuesday.

“It is a bad blow for the boy and a bad blow for us,” Ferguson said.

Anderson had been hoping to make a big impact for United over the final three months of the season as he tried to secure a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad.

But the 21-year-old suffered the injury just 19 minutes into his first appearance for over a month against West Ham at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Recent reports claimed Anderson, who has started only 37 league games for United, had spoken to Ferguson about his lack of first-team opportunities since his 2007 move from Portuguese club Porto.

Ferguson responded by drafting Anderson into the starting line-up against West Ham with a view to the midfielder replacing the suspended Michael Carrick in the Champions League second leg clash against AC Milan at Old Trafford on March 10.

“He was looking forward to the match on Tuesday and he was showing great energy to do well,” Ferguson added.

“It is a bit of a blow to us, particularly with the AC Milan game coming up because Michael Carrick is suspended.

“It is strange, when you see cruciate injuries it is usually something simple. He stretched out for the ball and his knee just popped. We have assessed the situation and know he needs the operation.

“That will be done in two weeks’ time in Portugal once the swelling has gone down. Sometimes we have sent them to Dr Steadman in Colorado. In this instance he is comfortable with the surgeon he has dealt with in Portugal in the past.

“He will be out for six months and hopefully that should have him about right for the new season.”