Anderson may be on the verge of a second Champions League win at the age of just 20, but the Manchester United midfielder remains a star-struck kid from Sao Paolo.
While Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez continue to attract most of the attention at Old Trafford, Anderson has continued his quiet development in their shadow.
Already a player of immense promise at FC Porto, the Brazilian is starting to fulfil that potential in a way Nani, who was signed from Sporting Lisbon on the same day, has failed to do in his second season with the club.
Yet Anderson has no intention of letting the attention go to his head.
"What is happening now is a real contrast compared with what I am used to," he said.
"I come from a poor background and to have a chance to be in another Champions League Final, lining up alongside players like Rooney and Ronaldo is an amazing thing.
"But I don't think it changes you. It changes your lifestyle but not your personality.
"I want to win things in life but I am not a different person. I am still the same as I was back then."
It helps to have Ronaldo as a friend, just as it was to Anderson's benefit when Brazilian team-mate Robinho landed in the north-west last summer, having taken the surprising decision to quit Real Madrid for Manchester City.
"Cristiano was fantastic for me we I joined and continues to be a great support," he said.
"Having Robinho in town as well is good because he is always available to help out if needed.
"It is great for me. People might talk about those star players but I am happy just to be one of the group."
Anderson might not appear as overtly energetic as the likes of Park Ji-sung and Darren Fletcher, whose absence from Wednesday's eagerly-awaited clash with Barcelona at the Stadio Olimpico, effectively guarantees the South American will play.
Yet if United are defending, he will be there, just as he will be on the scene if Sir Alex Ferguson's men are attacking, even if he has still to score since his arrival at Old Trafford.
"I was injured for part of the season," he recalled.
"Coming back from that was a slow process because I had to get myself right physically and mentally.
"I am enjoying my football and I just hope I can keep helping the team to win trophies."
Ferguson will hope so too given he has identified Anderson as the natural successor to Paul Scholes, who given his more recent statements on the subject seems unlikely to continue his stellar career beyond the end of next season.
Just as Ronaldo credits the long-serving United boss with his elevation to become the world's best player, a title that will come under threat from Lionel Messi this week, so Anderson has nothing but warm praise for the 67-year-old.
"He is the big daddy, especially to the young players," said Anderson.
"He supports them and gives them the maturity needed to achieve things. Above all, he trusts them.
"Basically he tries to keep everybody happy.
"He has created a big family I feel very comfortable with.
"We are all good friends. It is why Manchester United is the greatest team in the world."
After his grumbles about being forced to play yesterday, allowing Barcelona an extra 24 hours' rest, it transpired neither Ferguson nor Pep Guardiola selected any of the men who will start in Rome.
United made the flight this lunchtime, with Ferguson still mulling over his starting line-up, with Park, Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov seemingly contending for the last available slot.
Rio Ferdinand did not play at Hull yesterday as his manager demanded on Wednesday.
However, as both parties subsequently suggested the England defender would be fit - and fears of more extensive damage to his calf were allayed by inclusion in Fabio Capello's squad yesterday for World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra next month - it would be a major surprise if the 30-year-old did not start
source : football365.com
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