Manchester United midfielder Anderson has admitted that he is facing a crossroads in his career.
After two-and-a-half years of problems both on and off the pitch, and despite having a contract that runs until 2015, Anderson realises what happens over the coming weeks is likely to determine whether he has a future with the Premier League giants.
“The last two years have been very difficult,” he said.
“No-one wants a player who has a lot of injuries.
“But I am still young. I am only 24. And I believe I can get through this.
“All summer I stayed in Europe to work on my knee. Now I am 100%. I don’t have any more injuries. I don’t have a problem.”
Anderson’s fitness problems are the most obvious reason why Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad has been so evidently short of midfield options.
In the overall analysis of last season’s thrilling failure to retain the title, it has largely been overlooked that Anderson was part of that swashbuckling start that earned such rare praise.
He even managed to score a couple of goals, something he had found difficulty with in his early years.
Typically, it was too good to last and another knee injury consigned Anderson to a further spell on the sidelines.
When he made a surprise return against Blackburn – in a game more notable for the axing of Wayne Rooney – the South American got injured again. And that was his season finished.
“This is a very big season for me,” he said, following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Ajax Cape Town, which he started in a wide left position.
“In my first three years we won everything; Champions League, Premier League, Carling Cup. But then I suffered a cruciate injury and had a bad problem.
“I tried to push through it when I came back but it was still sore. Sometimes it was bad and the pain stayed.
“Sometimes you think you might have to change clubs but I love it here.
“The club has always helped me, as have the other players. I have worked so hard trying to get right.”
When Anderson has stayed injury-free for any extended period, his performances have been quite good.
“Manchester United have some good players; Scholes, Carrick, Cleverley, Giggs,” he said.
“If we bring in new players it will help even more, although you could say that about any club.
“The thing is, if I stay fit, I can be that player. I can be a success at United.
“You have seen, when I don’t have a problem, I play well.
“The problems come when I have an injury. After six or seven games last season it felt as though one leg was 30% weaker than the other.”