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Anderson on Red alert

UNITED are set to add a touch of Brazilian blend to help rejuvenate their season.

The Samba magic that Sir Alex Ferguson hopes 19-year-old Anderson will bring to the Reds has been under wraps in the Premier League.

Since his £17m arrival from Porto, the promising South American midfielder has only been viewed briefly on pre- season friendly duty.

A late holiday because of his Copa America duty with Brazil and a hamstring injury have kept his outings to a minimum.

But Fergie is preparing to introduce Anderson to Old Trafford against Spurs tomorrow, when he could start on the bench.

"Anderson has had a full week's training," said Sir Alex.

"He wasn't involved with Brazil during the week, which gave us the opportunity to get more training into him. He is looking much better.

"He and Carlos Tevez have looked good this week and he will be involved tomorrow."

Anderson is the last of United's quartet of summer recruits to make his official debut in a competitive game, following on from Tevez, Nani and Owen Hargreaves.

While Anderson will provide flair, it is a goalscoring cutting edge that United need most at present.

Sobering

Tevez has been shouldering the burden after the Reds lost Wayne Rooney (broken foot) and Cristiano Ronaldo (three-match ban).

But just one goal at Portsmouth in 270 minutes of Premiership action has left United in a sobering 16th position.

Louis Saha, however, is being lined up as back-up tomorrow if the misfiring Reds continue.

The Frenchman is on standby to make his first League appearance since last February.

"We are hoping we can get Louis on the bench. We are hopeful because he has done very well over the last two weeks," added the United boss.

"There is maybe some light at the end of the tunnel for us. Louis is an out-and-out front player. As we know he has pace and power.

"He gave us 15 goals in the first half of last season. If he had continued playing he might have got near the 30 mark.

"That is a loss and a big loss to us in the second half of last season. We just never got him back on the field. A combination of a hamstring injury, then a knee injury which required an operation, ruled him out completely for us.

"But he has been doing well in training over the last two weeks. If he does come back for us, it will be a big boost."

Ferguson was hoping that captain Gary Neville would add to the list of players ready to vacate the Carrington treatment room.

Frustrating

But the full-back, sidelined since March with ankle ligaments trouble, is out for a further fortnight with a new setback.

Added Sir Alex: "Unfortunately Gary has got a thigh strain which will probably keep him out for a fortnight.

"It is a frustrating one for him. I think it was just his eagerness to get back in. He did a bit extra in training and has got himself a thigh muscle strain. It is a bit of a blow for him."

Owen Hargreaves suffered some reaction with his knee tendinitis again following his derby debut against City.

But, having missed England's friendly defeat to Germany in midweek to rest the problem, Fergie believes the midfielder will be okay for an Old Trafford bow against Tottenham.

Edwin van der Sar is set to retain his goalkeeping despite having been forced out of Holland's international on Wednesday. The Reds sent him for a scan on a knock, which came back clear.