When Ronaldinho helped Brazil win the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™, he became arguably the most sough-after commodity on planet football. Unsurprisingly, Manchester United - one of the sport's richest, most seductive colossuses - went all out to sign him after he announced his intention to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the 2002/03 season.

Following flirtation with a move to Old Trafford, however, Ronaldinho elected to join Spanish giants Barcelona, which came as a bitter blow to the former's supporters. The destiny of the flicks and feints honed in Gremio's revered academy may not have been to thrill United fans in 2003, but four years on this same Porto Alegre breeding ground is responsible for providing them with such excitement.

Supplying the magic is Anderson Luis de Abreu Oliveira, 19, whose trajectory bears a striking resemblance to that of Ronaldinho. The two share a city of birth, a starring role at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, debuts for Gremio and then the senior Brazil side in their teens, a first senior international title at the Copa America and the commencement of their European adventures outside of England, Italy or Spain.

Moreover, the player recruited from FC Porto even began his career operating in the left-lying position between the midfield and the attack preferred by the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year. It is, nonetheless, in a more central midfield role that the versatile teenager has been one of the Premier League's most outstanding performers over the past six weeks.

Short-term hero, long-term answer
In truth, many expected the player nicknamed 'Andershow' to be a bit-part player in a star-studded squad this season. A mere 45 minutes of action from United's first eight league games certainly supported this notion.

But when Alex Ferguson lost Nemanja Vidic at home to Wigan Athletic on 20 minutes, he threw on the Brazilian, whose response was emphatic. Seventy minutes later and the Old Trafford crowd were left to reflect on a wonderful individual display from the substitute that had been key to their 4-0 success.

The Scot hailed his young pupil's display that day as "fantastic", and the integral role Anderson was to play in the team's subsequent run has evidenced how swiftly he has won over his manager's trust. With the tirelessly influential Paul Scholes sidelined, the Gaucho has started every game since and his presence in the line-up has coincided with an end to United's scoring problems. Indeed, having netted only seven goals in their first eight league games, the Red Devils have now posted 16 in their last five to storm level on points with leaders Arsenal.

The standout form of his No8, which includes a governing display in a 2-2 draw at the Gunners, has convinced Ferguson that he has found the long-term replacement to club legend Scholes, 33. "The idea was that Anderson would replace Scholes and Nani would replace Giggs in the long term," explained the long-serving gaffer. "It is always a worry when you buy young players for a lot of money whether it is the right decision, but we can tell our judgment has been good with these two.

"We told Anderson that he wouldn't play every week but would be introduced gradually. But looking at his form, if the game against Dynamo Kiev (in the UEFA Champions League) had been crucial he wouldn't have been out of the team. Scholes is not ready for the shelf - he can play until he's 36. But Anderson absolutely has the qualities to replace him."

Paradise
Andershow's team-mates have also been queuing up to pay him homage. "Anderson has come in and done really well," said Wayne Rooney. "A lot of people don't realise how young he is. But he has great confidence and belief in his own ability and has produced some good performances recently."

Rio Ferdinand described him as "a great player capable of turning any game", while Owen Hargreaves added that "he doesn't speak English that well but if he keeps playing like he has been then it doesn't matter."

Referring to Ferguson's plaudits, the Peru 2005 adidas Golden Ball winner told the Daily Mail newspaper: "That makes me very happy because those words are coming from one of the best coaches in the world. I am happy with the way my stay in England has gone so far. The advice I have had from the manager has just been to work hard and wait for my chance. After seven months without playing I am now in paradise."

After finally luring a graduate of the Gremio academy to Old Trafford, the Theatre of Dreams can marvel at the performances of its latest headliner.