Manchester United 'ready to cancel Anderson's contract' as attempts to offload flop fail

Disappointing: Anderson was part of the side thumped by MK Dons

Manchester United are reportedly prepared to cancel midfielder Anderson's contract in January.

The Brazilian spent the second-half of last season on loan at Fiorentina but returned to United this summer in a bid to prove himself to Louis van Gaal.

However, he has now been told he can leave the club after failing to impress in his two appearances this season - the Capital One Cup humilation to MK Dons and the draw with Burnley.

Once regarded as one of the brightest talents in world football, Anderson was a £20million acquisition for United in 2007 but attempts to offload him have failed to succeed.

And with his stock falling to an almighty low, United are now exploring the possibility of paying up the rest of the five-year contract he agreed in 2010, according to the Telegraph.

That is likely to cost the club around £1.4million and although they would rather sell or loan him out, nothing has been ruled out.

It would not be the first time United have cancelled a players contract, with Fabien Barthez released in June 2004 at a cost of £5million - despite having two years remaining on his deal