Former Porto player Anderson, who has signed a four-and-a-half-year extension to his present deal after returning from injury problems this season told www.manutd.com: "This is the best club to be at and I would like to thank everyone for the great support I have received over the years.

"I am looking forward to winning many more trophies with this club and I am so pleased to have signed a new contract."

Anderson, who arrived at Old Trafford from Portugal in 2007 as a teenager, took time to adjust to what was a peripheral role with the English giants but has turned in several fine displays this season and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "We are delighted Anderson has signed a new contract.

"Anderson has developed tremendously since joining the club and he has fantastic potential at only 22 years of age, he is going to be a really top player."