Former Manchester United midfielder Anderson once playfully struck Sir Alex Ferguson in the groin, and the legendary manager's response left the squad stunned, according to ex-United defender Rafael da Silva.
Rafael, speaking on the Brazilian programme Zona Mista, recalled the incident: 'Ferguson was really crazy about Anderson. There was this one time when everyone was in the lift, and just as Anderson was about to look at him... 'sack tap'. I thought, 'Oh my god, the old man's going to lose it now.' Everyone was just frozen, thinking, 'This is going to be a disaster.' Then Ferguson started laughing, and everyone else started laughing.'
Anderson, who joined United for £20 million from Porto in 2007, made 181 appearances across eight seasons, scoring just twice. Rafael has previously suggested that the Brazilian midfielder could have become the best in the world if not for his love of fast food and lack of professionalism.
In his autobiography, Rafael wrote: 'We could be on the team coach and pass the services on the motorway and Anderson would jump up impulsively and yell, 'McDonald's, McDonald's.' The guy was crazy, but I love him. Give him a football and he would just play with freedom.'
Rafael and his twin brother Fabio also recalled how Ferguson often struggled to tell them apart. Fabio told The United Zone podcast: 'My brother did something wrong in the game and he came at half time to speak with him but came to me. He started to shout f**k off! Rio [Ferdinand] or [Michael] Carrick said this is not Rafael and he [Ferguson] said, 'f**k off they're the same!''
