Twice against Wigan during David Moyes’ debut as Manchester United manager, Anderson picked up the ball in midfield, off a counter, and embarked on what should have been a surging run, skipping past players (at least one) and threading a pass to Robin Van Persie for a goal.
Instead, all he managed, was to lose the ball, turning counter-attack into counter-attack, for Wigan, that is.
Manchester United’s midfield problems begin and end with Anderson refusing to deliver on his promised potential.
Flashes of brilliance were not enough for Sir Alex Ferguson, or Michael Carrick – who needs someone to release the pass to.
Paul Scholes came of retirement.
Ryan Giggs was employed in the midfield.
Tom Cleverley was brought back from his loan to Wigan.
And there still seems to be a hole in midfield. A hole through which the Premier League title can easily slip.
This is why it is not Wayne Rooney, but the midfield that must be Moyes’ biggest worry.
Fabregas is not coming. This leaves Luka Modric or, much more realistically, Marouanne Fellaini.
A Carrick precision, Fellaini attack combo could give United the midfield domination they have struggled to claim over the past two seasons.
Unless, of course, Tom Cleverley proves he is indeed ready to be the next big United superstar.