ANDERSON may have flown halfway round the world to answer United's Barclays Premier League SOS but it did not stop him becoming the butt of his team-mates jokes.

The Brazilian arrived at 5am on Monday morning after completing his Olympic duty in Beijing minus his trademark dreadlocks.

Instead, Anderson sported a rather strange hairstyle, curly but far shorter than before.

So, while he put tiredness to one side in helping United to their win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park, stand-in skipper Rio Ferdinand was not about to let the 20-year-old get away with his fashion disaster.

"His Barnet is shocking at the minute," said the defender in his best Cockney accent.

"His extensions have come out and there has been no-one in China with the capability to braid them up again. He has had to wait until he gets back to Manchester, so we had a little joke with him about it."

Ferdinand was prepared to acknowledge Anderson's contribution to the win, which came just three days after he helped secure a bronze medal for Brazil, even if the achievement has not exactly been praised on Copacabana beach where only gold was expected, a finish made worse by the fact Argentina successfully defended their crown.

Ability

However, the five games Anderson played in the Far East ensures he is fully fit. And Ferdinand is predicting big things from the former FC Porto man this season.

"Anderson did well," said Ferdinand.

"He is a fantastic footballer. He has great ability and we have not seen the best of him yet. I am sure of that."

Of more importance to Sir Alex Ferguson than Anderson's hair is the on-going Dimitar Berbatov transfer saga.

While Tottenham are attempting to draw United into a game of brinkmanship over the Bulgarian, the Old Trafford outfit remain resolute about their unwillingness to pay over the odds.

Although there are examples of United paying too much for players, there are others which prove they will not be held to ransom, significantly Arjen Robben and Michael Essien, who both joined Chelsea after appearing certain to join the Reds.

While Ferguson has not given up hope of Tottenham buckling before next Monday's transfer deadline, he is prepared to miss out on Berbatov if Tottenham remain as defiant as United were in their refusal to do business with Real Madrid over Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, Ferguson was able to coax Ronaldo round to at least say he is prepared to give his all for United this season. There has been no hint of Berbatov doing something similar, leaving Ferguson still believing a deal can be done.

Contribution

If not, United will be thankful for the continued contribution of Darren Fletcher, who has scored both their Premier League goals this season after being asked to fill the role Ronaldo's injury and Nani's suspension - which is now over - have left the Portugal duo unable to fill.

"Darren was outstanding in pre-season and has carried that form on," said Ferdinand.

"It is great that players are posing problems now for the manager when everyone is fit.

"They are putting in performances that demand they are on the bench, if not starting. I am sure the manager will be happy about that."

United's win sent them back up towards the top of the Premier League, which Ferdinand admitted was crucial given their meeting with Fulham has been postponed due to the Reds' Super Cup commitment in Monaco on Friday.

As the Fulham game cannot be rearranged until both clubs are out of the Carling Cup, United will continue to be a game behind for the foreseeable future.

And given their next two games are at Liverpool on September 13 and Chelsea eight days later, little wonder Ferdinand placed such importance on leaving the south coast with three precious points.

"It was vital to get the win," he said.

"By the time we next play in the Premier League we will be a game or two behind the other teams and there could have been a big difference in points, which mentally might have made it quite hard."

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