Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is concerned that £17 million signing Anderson is some way from being a first team regular.

The Guardian says Ferguson had angry words with the entire team after Wednesday's Carling Cup defeat at home to Coventry City, but he was particularly aggrieved about Anderson's ineffectual display and is concerned at how the new arrival is struggling to make a favourable impression.

Anderson suffered the ignominy of being substituted at half-time in his only Premier League appearance, the 1-0 victory over Sunderland on September 1, but Ferguson expected the attacking midfielder to play an important role in the experimental and youthful side he chose against Coventry. Instead, Anderson was one of the weaker players, often off the pace and, most disappointingly for his manager, showing little desire.

Ferguson has told his colleagues it may be a year before the player, a full Brazil international, is ready to seriously challenge for a first-team place, an astonishing admission given the amount of money it took to sign him from Porto.