Anderson admits he fears for Manchester United's future when Sir Alex Ferguson eventually retires. Fergie cannot go on forever and Anderson fears United will never be the same again when Ferguson finally calls it a day.

"Manchester United is Alex Ferguson. When he leaves, the club will lose 30-40%, so much depends on him," he told the Grande Área television program in Portugal.

"He is a father to all the players, a very respected person and when he retires the football world will really feel his loss.

"He always helped me and I have a great affection for him. He lives for training and always wants to know how his players and their families are."