Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 9y

Louis van Gaal urges Anderson to work on fitness at Manchester United

Louis van Gaal has told Anderson he has to be fitter if he wants to have a future at Manchester United and suggested the Brazilian is not the right condition to play Premier League football.

The midfielder, who is expected to leave Old Trafford in January, has not featured since August, when he came on for Angel Di Maria in the 0-0 draw at Burnley.

Anderson has had his fitness criticised at times during his United career and manager Van Gaal said the former Porto player has to show the required attitude to stand a chance of featuring.

"He's now coming back," Van Gaal told reporters. "He was injured but he's training now with the team. I cannot say what had happened last year but in my four months here, he's had a lot of injuries.

"So I cannot judge him but when he trains he trains at a good level. He's not always fit and that is more his problem now.

"I can't pick him now because you have to be fit. For the first three months the culture of a trainer is fitness. That is the smallest thing you can demand. Professional league fitness. Fitness is the most important thing. First you have to show your fitness. Not for just one day but for several weeks."

Anderson, 26, is out of contract in the summer and admitted last month that there is a chance he could return to his first club, Gremio, in January.

He has begun just two league games for United since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement and spent the second half of last season on loan at Fiorentina.

And he is behind new signings Di Maria, Ander Herrera and Daley Blind, plus Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Darren Fletcher in the queue for places in Van Gaal's midfield.

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