The Brazilian once cost over £20m and could now be paid to leave.
The Telegraph has reported that Manchester United are considering terminating Anderson’s contract in January bringing to an end seven-and-a-half unsuccessful and expensive years at Old Trafford.
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It could cost £1.4m to buy the Brazilian out of his current deal, but with no interest in the midfielder the Red Devils are weighing up the possibility of this drastic solution.
So in light of that CaughtOffside picks out the 10 worst United signings of the Premier League era.
10. Anderson
Starting with the current culprit, Anderson arrived at the Theatre of Dreams back in the summer of 2007 from FC Porto as one of the hottest prospects in world football. Yet with weight issues and a lack of form the 26-year-old has never established himself in England and who knows which club will take him on now.
9. Jordi Cruyff
Being the son of one of the most highly rated footballers of all time can certainly open doors, but it also means expectations are high and Cruyff junior was someway short of reaching the heights of his father Johan after joining from FC Barcelona.
8. Gabriel Obertan
Was signed as the future Thierry Henry – a quick winger who could become a talented striker – but left as a complete flop and is now trying to rebuild his career at Newcastle United.
7. Liam Miller
Signed from Celtic for £4m and despite having the ability to play at right midfield or in the middle, could not establish himself in either role and seemed to leave as swiftly as he arrived.
6. David Bellion
Much more trouble than he was worth as then manager Sir Alex Ferguson had to pay Sunderland £2m for allegedly tapping up the Frenchman, but four goals in 24 games proved he probably shouldn’t have bothered.
5. Eric Djemba Djemba
So good they named him twice and all that, Djemba Djemba was a complete failure at United before going on to achieve similar levels of incompetence at Aston Villa.
4. Dong Fangzhou
The first Chinese player to sign for the Red Devils, work permit issues meant he had to wait two years for his debut, but just three years later he left quietly after not even being given a squad number.
3. Kleberson
Having been part of the squad that won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil United thought they had some South American talent, but then Leeds United made a similar mistake with Roque Junior.
2. Massimo Taibi
Between Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar the club had a string of goalkeepers who weren’t up to scratch, but whilst the likes of Fabian Barthez were erratic Taibi was a different level of uselessness.
1. Bebe
Has only just left the club this summer making the £7.4m move there in 2010 seem utterly ridiculous, especially when the 24-year-old played just four times for the side and looked well below par every time.