Open thread: Free-kicks
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Sir Alex Ferguson hopes Anderson can go on a goal run after finally opening his Manchester United account with a superb free-kick on Wednesday.
Anderson's stunning strike against Boca Juniors in the Audi Cup in Munich could be just what he needs to begin scoring with regularity this season, according to United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
It has taken the Brazil midfielder over two years to get on the scoresheet for United but Ferguson believes the floodgates may well now open.
"We hope this will spark him off and give him the incentive to be more positive with shooting for a start," said Ferguson.
"He has been with us for two years, as you know, and had many close opportunities with goalies saving or shots hitting the post.
"Hopefully his luck changes and he takes the incentive of scoring today to go on and score more for us."
Anderson curled in a fine left-footed free-kick from just outside the penalty area to give United the lead in a match they eventually won 2-1 with Antonio Valencia scoring on his debut.
In the past, Cristiano Ronaldo would probably have taken that set-piece and his sale to Real Madrid could be Anderson's chance to get more opportunities with a dead ball around the penalty area.
Just as long as Anderson is on the field, Ferguson admitted he is one of the options for free-kicks and penalties.
"I have been thinking about this for two weeks now and I have no definite answer to it," he said.
"I think it depends on what 11 players are playing in a particular game. I think we have two or three players who are natural to take responsibility.
"(Patrice) Evra, (Michael) Carrick, Anderson and (Ryan) Giggs are all natural choices to take penalty kicks, but when I choose my 11 on a particular day, then I will make my mind up on that day."
The chances are Anderson will be figuring more often this season following Ronaldo's departure.
Ferguson says he, as well as Nani, has the "right platform and right training environment" and that the 2009-10 season could be when they come of age.
"They are young and when you are young and have the ambition, then that can happen," said the Scot.
"I expect to see that improvement and have no fears about Anderson and Nani.
"They are young boys with young minds playing at the highest level of football."
United will be back in action in the Audi Cup final on Thursday when they face hosts Bayern Munich, who crushed AC Milan 4-1 in the other semi-final.
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Anderson staked a claim for set-piece duties after his jaw-dropping free-kick against Boca Juniors in the Audi Cup, but we want to know who you think is best placed for the job.
Sir Alex has admitted that, since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, it's a job that is up for grabs. And there are several candidates, not least Anderson after throwing his hat into the ring with a beautifully-arced shot into the top corner during Thursday's 2-1 win over Boca.
"We’ve been thinking about this [who should be our free-kick taker] for weeks now. There’s no definite answer to it. I think it depends on who my 11 players are in a particular game.
"We have two or three players who I feel are naturals to take on the responsibility. Evra, Carrick, Anderson and Giggs are natural choices to take free-kicks and penalty kicks. But I’ll make my mind up on the day."
That's what the boss thinks.