Anderson's Hopes of Securing Permanent Fiorentina Move Away from United Suffer Fresh Blow

The future of Manchester United midfielder Anderson looks increasingly bleak after he was once again left on the Fiorentina bench again on Sunday.

It was an unhappy 26<sup>th birthday for the former Porto starlet who is on loan at la Viola until the end of the season as manager Vincenzo Montella overlooked him as his side delivered a 5-3 win over Verona.

Anderson has not started a game for Fiorentina since 16 March having struggled with injuries that saw him miss games against Milan and Sampdoria, but despite his return to fitness he has been unable to reclaim a starting berth.

His continued fitness problems and a lack of impact at the Stadio Artemio Franchi suggests a permanent move to Fiorentina this summer is unlikely, leaving Anderson's once-highly regarded future in more doubt.

The Brazilian was a peripheral member of David Moyes' United squad during the first half of the season, starting just three games for the club and making a further five off the bench. A switch to Serie A provided him with a fresh opportunity but the man Sir Alex Fergusons signed for £18m has started just four games since January, failing to complete 90 minutes in any of them.

Anderson has previously stated that he hopes to make his spell at Fiorentina a permanent one but his insipid performances suggest the club will look elsewhere.

With a return to Manchester likely at the end of the season United will be expected to try and offload Anderson during a summer which could see a number of players part ways with the club after a dismal season.

Club captain Nemanja Vidic has already agreed to join Inter Milan this summer with Rio Ferdinand also expected to leave the club when his contract expires. The futures of underperforming wingers Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young are also in real doubt after disastrous seasons while Javier Hernandez's lack of first team football is likely to see him consider other options.

Anderson, who managed 127 appearances during six and a half years at United, will have one more year remaining on his contract when he returns from Florence.