Q&A - Anderson

Each week we put a top flight player or manager on the spot to find out a bit more about the nation's favourite faces. This week we managed to track down Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Anderson. We caught up with him in the Trafford Centre, where he was on the hunt for a new T-Shirt. We walked round with him on his quest through River Island and Burton (He's very fussy when it comes to his "threads").

1. You’re becoming increasingly well known for being a bit of a joker around Old Trafford. What’s that all about?

Yeah that’s true. I think before I arrived Rio was the one who played the jokes but I like to think I’ve taken it to the next level. I like to have fun in training and even in games I like to add an extra element to proceedings.

What’s your trademark?

I’m a fan of the classics. Sometimes I’ll run up behind Johno (O’Shea) and duck down. Then Rafael, Fabio or Ronnie (Ronaldo) will push him over. It’s pretty easy for us to get away with things because we all speak Portuguese.

2. I head that you once put a live mouse in Gary Neville’s locker at Carrington. True or False?

Yeah that’s true. Basically everyone in the team looks up to Gary. He’s achieved so much in his career but he wasn’t very nice to me in my first few weeks. He’d tie my socks in knots and hide my shorts etc. All harmless but when I heard he has a chronic fear of mice I was determined to get my own back.

How did he react?

He totally freaked out. I thought he was going to kill it with one of his boots. It’s OK though. Fabio took it home as a pet. I think Rafael was a bit jealous. I’ll buy him one after payday.

3. You haven’t scored yet for United. Is that something that plays on your mind?

Yeah I suppose it does. I mean it’s no big deal. Gary Neville’s only got five in his united career and I reckon I’ll have that sewn up by the end of the season.

Aren’t you injured though?

I am at the moment but I’ll be back. We still have to play Newcastle and their defense is horrific – I could get 6 against them alone.

Good point but I’m not going to hold my breath.

4. Who would you most like to play with?

Bullard. Next!?

5. What do you like doing in your spare time?

I enjoy music. I’m a big fan of Radiohead and Sigur Ros.

Really?

Yeah. Why?

You just don’t seem like you’d be into them. Can you name any of their albums?

Radiohead – Pablo Honey, The Bends, OK Computer, Kid A, Amnesiac, I might be Wrong, Hail to the Thief, In Rainbows and The Best Of.
Sigur Ros – Von, Agaetis Byrjun, (), Takk, Hlemmur, Hvarf/Heim and Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust.

Happy?

Yeah OK – point taken……… What else do you like?

I like playing my Xbox. PES09 is my favourite game of the moment although I don’t like how bad they have made my character. I changed my stats on the edit mode so I’m better than Ronaldo. I haven’t told anyone so the lads just think I’m amazing at it. The PES developers need to get the game back to its roots. PES5 was by far the best installment!

I have also started collecting classic systems and games – my most recent purchases were Duck Hunt for the NES and Biggles for the Spectrum ZX.

6. If you didn’t play football what would you be doing?

I’d probably be on TV. I’d quite like a job as a pundit after I retire from playing. My English isn’t too good though, so I’d likely have to go on ITV so no-one would notice.

Either that or I’d like to do a wind-up show like Rio’s. It was genius. To be honest he is my idol.

7. Finally – describe your perfect Thursday.

Ideally I’d have a lie in. We often have games mid-week and I much prefer them to be on a Tuesday. That means I can watch any Wednesday night games on my BT Vision set-up. I’d have a lie in on the Thursday morning. Maybe have a couple of games of PES on Xbox Live then have some Shredded Wheat for breakfast. I’d head to training and pull of the best joke ever. Even Rio would be in awe.

In the afternoon I’d just chill out with the lads. Maybe have a couple of juices and listen to ‘Kid A’. Then an early night in front of the TV. With any luck Blackadder would be on g.o.l.d. Otherwise I’d just shove on one of the OC box-sets.

Sounds divine. Thank you for taking the time out from your busy footballing life to have this chat with us. We really appreciate it. All the best for the rest of the season. I hope the goal tally improves – or rather gets going.

Thanks guys.