Robson: Anderson Still Has Some Improving To Do
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English midfielder Bryan Robson spent 13 years dominating the midfield for Manchester United. He was signed from midlands side West Bromwich Albion for a then British record fee of £1,500,000 in October 1981, stating that his motivations were medals.
He claimed two league titles, four FA Cups, a League Cup, a European Cup Winners' Cup, a European Super Cup, and even won a double in his final season as a Red Devil.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has recently stated that he thought nobody believed he could replace a legend like Bryan Robson (who received 90 international caps), but then Roy Keane, who was bought from Nottingham Forest, emerged into the first team and went on to captain United to multiple trophies.
Similarly, in Roy Keane's absence, Ferguson again said that replacing the Republic of Ireland international would have been mission impossible, but now Anderson is emerging as the heir to the central midfield throne.
Midfield Evolution
Ferguson also stated that Robson and Keane were different midfield players, just like Anderson again has a contrasting style, but insisted that this is how a midfield evolves.
Robson, though, believes that Anderson has some way to go before he can achieve what he and Keane did with the club.
"He's got a lot of attributes - lots of energy, but he's still learning and has a bit to go," Robson explained in the Manchester Evening News.
"He can be erratic with his passing and I'd like to see him score more goals. But he's got lots of qualities and the energy to get box to box.
"One of his best qualities is that he's not daunted by anything," Robson said, referring to Anderson's big-game mentality.
"Everybody talks about the flair of Brazilians, but the thing I noticed about them the first time I ever played against them was their mental toughness. Nothing fazes them, they just love playing."