Anderson ended his two-year wait for a Manchester United goal on Saturday as the Premier League champions won 3-1 at Tottenham.
Two years after joining United, the Brazil midfielder’s powerful 41st-minute strike consigned Spurs to their first loss of the season.
Spurs had stunned the visitors inside a minute through Jermain Defoe’s acrobatic overhead kick, but Ryan Giggs levelled in the 25th when he curled in a free kick.
Despite the Red Devils playing more than 30 minutes with 10 men after Paul Scholes was sent off, Wayne Rooney was able to add a third in the 78th from an energetic counterattack.
The victory moved Alex Ferguson’s side up to second in the standings above Spurs on goal difference. Chelsea has a three-point lead.