Manchester United are happy for Anderson to stay with the Brazil Olympics team.

The Red Devils were effectively given the green light to request Anderson's presence at Old Trafford following a verdict reached in Switzerland by the Court of Arbitration for Sport saying FIFA had no right to demand players appear in Beijing at the expense of their clubs.

However, it was always unlikely the Red Devils would ask Anderson to return, despite their current injury problems.

Sir Alex Ferguson is acutely aware of the pride Brazilians take in representing their country and any short term gain in having Anderson around may be offset in the future through a sheer lack of goodwill.

Although the judgement itself, reached by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, concerned only Lionel Messi of Barcelona, plus Schalke's Brazilian defender Rafinha and fellow countryman Diego from Werder Bremen, it covers all players.