Source: Team_Talk
Anderson hungry for more goals
Manchester United midfielder Anderson has set himself a 10-goal target for the season.[LNB] Famously, it took the 23-year-old 78 appearances to bag his first United goal. He only got one more in the next 17 months.[LNB]Now, he is on something of a hot-streak.[LNB]Anderson's header in Saturday's 2-0 win over Norwich at Old Trafford was his fifth in 11 appearances and helped preserve United's narrow advantage over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.[LNB]"One particular aim is to score at least 10 goals," said the former Porto star.[LNB]"I am going to try my very best to score more."[LNB]With Paul Scholes now retired and watching from the stands, Anderson has been asked to play a major role for United by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.[LNB]He has now started nine of United's 11 games in all competitions this season and feels he is benefiting from the increased exposure.[LNB]"You can say it is my best start because I have never played five or six games consecutively at the beginning of the season," he said.[LNB]"It's been great to stay in the side and help make a big contribution.[LNB]"I feel like this is my time now. I have trained well, looked after myself and the boss has given me a chance. It is important that I take it and show everyone why I am here."[LNB]Anderson had been a subdued presence up to his crucial intervention yesterday.[LNB]Indeed, Norwich boss Paul Lambert was left with an acute sense of what might have been.[LNB]Aside from the goals, United created little.[LNB]Wayne Rooney brought a decent save out of John Ruddy with a stinging early shot, guided a header over just before half-time and was fractionally off target with an audacious chip when the game was won, but it was Norwich who carved out the best chances.[LNB]Anthony Pilkington wasted the best, nipping in to rob Antonio Valencia, only to roll his shot wide of Anders Lindegaard's far post.[LNB]Pilkington also had a shot deflected onto a post, while twice Norwich were one decent pass away from presenting someone with a tap-in.[LNB]"This league is relentless," reflected Lambert, whose team had won their previous two games.[LNB]"And Manchester United are a fabulous side.[LNB]"Look at the players and their history and tradition.[LNB]"They are going to be there or thereabouts again, not just domestically. They will go close in the Champions League as well."[LNB]Ferguson's side posted a club record 19 consecutive home games in the league, Danny Welbeck sealing the triumph with his third goal in two games three minutes from time.[LNB]However, the fluency of their first few performances has been lost even if the gritty nature of this latest triumph might be needed in their next two games, at Liverpool and against City at Old Trafford, immediately after the international break.[LNB]"We are all looking forward to our upcoming games," said Welbeck.[LNB]"It's going to be a big weekend for the whole city when we have the derby."[LNB]Ferguson has always felt Liverpool was the true derby for his side.[LNB]Although that view has changed markedly since Sheikh Mansour arrived on the scene, any trip to Anfield for the Red Devils is certain to be a high-octane affair.[LNB]In claiming Nemanja Vidic, Chris Smalling and Tom Cleverley could all be available after recent injuries, Ferguson would need to be certain they have reached a level that would allow them to make a significant contribution.[LNB]Vidic's presence in particular would strengthen a defence that has not been at its best over the past fortnight, although not much blame can be attached to Phil Jones, who has started six of United's seven Premier League games so far, and seems certain to be a regular presence for the entire campaign.[LNB]"I wanted to come to Manchester United," he said.[LNB]"Having played most games for Blackburn, I knew it was a tough ask to come here and do the same.[LNB]"But I am enjoying it.[LNB]"I love doing what I am doing now and perhaps I was needed too many times yesterday but that is what I am there for."
