CARDIFF, Wales // Manchester United midfielder Anderson has pleaded with manager David Moyes to give him a chance to impress as the Premier League champions prepare for their visit to Cardiff on Sunday.
Anderson, 25, has only started two games under Moyes, with his last a lacklustre showing in a shock defeat against West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford in September.
However, England international Michael Carrick will miss United’s first trip to face Cardiff in south Wales since 1974 as he is out for a number of weeks with an Achilles problem, leaving a spot open in midfield which Anderson is hoping to fill.
There have been reports that the Brazilian will seek to leave the club in January because of his lack of playing time in recent seasons, but he insists he is still willing to fight for his place at Old Trafford.
“I want to make an impact,” he said. “When I have a chance, I have to take it. I’m happy at the club and everything is fine. I don’t have a problem.
“I’ve been fit and I just need games, which is normal. Every player wants to play and I just have to wait for my opportunity and play well when it comes.
“In my first, second and third year at United, I had a good impact but, afterwards, I had injuries and it’s difficult when it’s not possible to play. But I have to train and wait for my moment.
“I love the club. I love being here. I just need games and, when they come, I will play.
“I’m just 25 years old, still young, and I have a lot of time to play for the club.”
United defender Nemanja Vidic could miss Sunday’s game as he recovers from concussion, but Rio Ferdinand is set to return after being rested for the win over Arsenal before the international break.
That victory closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to five points, but United now have three tough away games beginning at Cardiff, then a Champions League tie against Bayer Leverkusen followed by a trip to Tottenham.
“It was a good win against Arsenal and important that we closed the gap at the top of the table on them and Liverpool,” Anderson added.
“Everyone was happy after that result and the international break has been good.
“We had played a lot of games, so it was good to have a rest in order to come back fresh.
“It’s been the case this season of us having a few games away, then four games at home and now three games away. It’s been difficult but we have to focus our concentration and get points from these games.”
United star Ryan Giggs, who turns 40 next Friday, could face his hometown club on Sunday for the first time and Cardiff manager Malky Mackay revealed his admiration for the veteran midfielder.
“Every day of the week for the last 15 years he has been a top player,” said Mackay. “He is a top bloke and he is probably my favourite player of the last 15 years.
“You look at how he has conducted himself professionally through his whole career and he just looks a model pro.
“The way he has kept his body and how his game changed when his pace went, and his thought process in terms of how to play.”
Andreas Cornelius could return for Cardiff, as the striker has recovered from an ankle injury and is set to help the Bluebirds try and bounce back from their last league defeat against Aston Villa.