Anderson ready for biggest test

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The Brazil international, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Sunday, has grown in confidence and stature as the season has progressed following last summer's move from Porto.

"It is like a final for me," assessed Anderson. "Playing against Barcelona is the most important game of my life - it is like the final of the Champions League."

He added: "In fact, I think it is a sort of final as we are the two teams with the best record in this season's competition."

There are those who have compared Anderson to Barcelona and Brazil great Ronaldinho, who will unfortunately not figure next week due to injury.

Although both come from Porto Alegre and started their careers at Gremio, Anderson shies away from such a comparison.

"For me he will always be a true great, but you cannot compare him with me," insisted Anderson on www.sport.es. "He has done everything in football and I've done almost nothing. I am just starting, but I am proud that people see similar things in us."

Anderson concedes settling into life at United has been made far easier than he imagined due to the support he has received.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Cristiano Ronaldo, whom Anderson describes as "a special player" have both played a significant role in his adaptation to the Barclays Premier League.

"I joined Manchester United straight after playing in the Copa America with Brazil and the contrast was difficult, but that is normal. It was the same when I went to Porto," he added. "Cristiano Ronaldo has helped me a lot to adapt and other players, like (Patrice) Evra, (Michael) Carrick, (Wes) Brown and (Gerard) Piqué have all made life easier."