Manchester United midfielder Anderson has popped up in Brazil.

The News of the World says Anderson was left out of the squad for Saturday's game with Hull as he paid the price for another poor performance in the Manchester derby defeat in the Carling Cup.

The fact that Anderson met with Vasco da Gama's director of football Rodrigo Caetano is set to anger Sir Alex Ferguson even more, although it has been stressed that the two are old pals from the player's days at Gremio.

Brazilian sources claim Anderson met Caetano in Rio de Janeiro, after arriving on Monday night, although the Vasco director has denied this was to discuss any possible transfer.

"He was my player and nothing else," he said. "He's a great kid but, in terms of trading him, it's very unlikely.

"He has a good contract with Manchester and I cannot keep feeding this type of pipe dream."