Former Manchester United midfielder Anderson blames injuries for lack of career options

Former Manchester United midfielder Anderson, who signed for Internacional in the recently concluded transfer window, has blamed injuries for his failure to live up to expectations at Old Trafford.

The Brazilian, who transferred from Porto for a fee in the range of £26m, according to the Guardian, has made only 70 starts for the club. This, in spite of having won four Premier League titles, a Champions League and a Club World Cup since his arrival at Old Trafford in 2007.

The midfielder was not an integral part of Sir Alex Ferguson's setup, only showing glimpses of his potentials in bursts before missing out due to injury or lack of fitness. It was his knee that posed the most serious problem, with the player having to undergo six operations, which kept him out for the better part of two seasons.

The midfielder is returning to his home country, hoping to reclaim his rightful place and play regularly, something which did not materialise for him under David Moyes or Louis van Gaal.

"I played for eight years for Manchester. I would like to thank the club. In my first four years I won everything there, Champions League, Premier League and Clubs World Cup. I had a knee injury and returned to play again too fast. I played but the knees were not equal and I got myself injured again," Anderson said.

"Do you think I'm not fit? A player will always be criticised. I had injuries in the past, but I have to be quiet right now and answer in the field.

"It will be a pleasure play in a club such as Internacional. I want to be happy as I was in other clubs. I'm coming back to Porto Alegre because Inter went after me. The president gave me attention. I was training [at United] but not playing," he concluded.