Sir Alex Ferguson has now hailed Anderson as the natural successor to Old Trafford veteran Paul Scholes.
Anderson, 19, has broken into the United first-team far quicker than expected following his £19million move from Porto last summer.
He starred in the recent 4-0 FA Cup rout of Arsenal, impressed in the 1-1 Champions League draw at Lyon, and is set to start in the crucial Premier League clash at Fulham on Saturday.
“Anderson has exploded on to the scene for us and been absolutely phenomenal,” said Fergie.