PHENOMENAL. The new Paul Scholes.

These are just a few accolades for rising Manchester United star, Anderson.

And when these compliments come from Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson, it is high praise indeed.

The 19-year-old Brazilian has broken into the United first team and performed well enough to be worthy of a regular start since signing from Porto last June in a £19 million ($52.3m) deal.

According to Ferguson, the young midfielder is now a major threat to the first-team midfield places of United's established stars.

And he is more than ready to succeed Scholes as United's key playmaker.

'Anderson has exploded on to the scene for us and been absolutely phenomenal,' Ferguson said in the Mirror.

'We're really pleased with his progress and the evidence is there for all to see.

'When Scholes got his last injury it opened the door for Anderson, and we discovered a boy who had talent.

'It may otherwise have turned out that Anderson would have had to wait, just getting the odd game here and there, which may not have helped him develop as we have seen.'

Many observers believed that Anderson had been brought to United as a long-term heir to Scholes.

Now the manager has conceded that though the players have similarities, Anderson is not a like-for-like replacement.

'He isn't entirely like Scholes, although there are similarities,' Ferguson said of Anderson.

'He's more of an aggressive running player. He's quicker than Scholes, more of the type to run forward from midfield with the ball, whereas Scholes will do it without the ball.'

Anderson has started 12 Premiership games for United since last October and has also appeared in FA Cup and Champions League matches.

The only sour memory in a season of success is United's League Cup reverse at home to Coventry when the youngster's lacklustre performance was criticised sharply.

Anderson's subsequent emergence has put pressure on United veteran Scholes and last season's star Michael Carrick, especially when Ferguson opts to play two in midfield.

Even Owen Hargreaves is feeling the strain but recognises that he will not play in every game given United's midfield power.

'I know you are not going to start every game because you look at the players we've got and you know we've got options,' said Hargreaves.

'We can play different styles and I think everybody would like to play every game, but physically you are not going to be at your best if you do, and it is an opportunity for the others to play.

'Everybody knows there is a bigger picture when you play for United.

'There is a lot at stake and it is not a case of being dropped. We just play in different styles and it will benefit us in the long run.

'To be at this club, with this manager and the fans, is where I want to be.

' I measure myself against the best and hopefully I will be here for a long time.

'When you play, you've got to play well. It's as simple as that.

'And even if you play well, you still might not play the next game.'

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