Reds moved early for Nani

July 09, 2007

NEW BOYS: Nani and Owen Hargreaves with boss Sir Alex Ferguson

UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he would have liked Nani to spend one more year in Portugal before his move to United.

Nani, along with fellow new signing Owen Hargreaves, were officially unveiled at United's Carrington headquarters on Monday lunchtime.

While the capture of Hargreaves from Bayern Munich represents the end of a 12 month chase, Nani's journey to Old Trafford has taken place a year ahead of schedule, with Ferguson forced to move quickly for the Portugal Under-21 star who, like Cristiano Ronaldo, developed a big reputation at Sporting Lisbon.

"We have been monitoring Nani for almost as long as Cristiano," said Ferguson.

"In a perfect world, he would have stayed in Portugal for another year but circumstances forced us into action.

"He is different to Cristiano in that he can play on both sides of the pitch but also in the middle. He is quick, has a terrific engine and I know we are getting a very talented, flexible player."

Squad

With an overall outlay approaching £80million, Ferguson was quick to praise the Glazer family for backing him in the transfer market this summer.

While admitting the new, massively increased TV deal meant he felt more cash would be spent across the Premier League this summer than has actually happened, Ferguson is aware that, in some areas, his squad might be regarded as too big.

Gabriel Heinze, Alan Smith, Kieran Richardson, Giuseppe Rossi and Gerard Pique have all been linked with big-money moves away from Old Trafford.

And, although he has not told anyone they can leave, he recognises some players may choose to.

"Players understand today that in order to challenge for major trophies, you need a strong squad," said Ferguson.

"No-one will play all the games next year and hopefully the players will accept that and get on with the business of trying to achieve success for us.

"I don't expect anybody to leave but it may happen because some players will view the situation and think maybe they won't get enough games to satisfy them, but there are no decisions made at the moment."

What do you think? Have your say.

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Gerry, Glastonbury (09/07/2007 at 16:20)

Looks like Richardson is staying then?

MightyJimpo, Tameside (09/07/2007 at 16:34)

I think Nani is a fabulous talent and one to watch for the future. With Rooney, Ronaldo & Now Nani and Hargreaves joining the team we have never looked stronger especially with the experience of Giggs & Scholes backing them up. Add to this the possible arrival of Tevez and you have a united team with a huge amount of Depth!

VALTINHO, LISBON (09/07/2007 at 17:07)

Totally right to say that he should have stayed one more year in Portugal and totally right that he couldn't have waited anylonger( would risk to loose him to another shark of european football) I really hope that Nani will prov his worth. taking in account that Portugal didn't have many export flops( H.Vianna is one of the few that comes to my mind)he should do well. Quaresma and Simâo are two really good examples of players going too early away from their formation's clubs( they weren't flops). Barcelona didn't have the required patience and lost two great players and lots of money. Quaresma cost to Porto less than 6 million Euros as an exchange for Deco and they are rejecting today offers below 25 million Euros( he is worth more in my eyes), Simâo is around 20 million euros compared to 5 that Benfica paid them. SAF just said that Nani will not be totally ready this year and supporters will have to wait for the end product. I'm not sure about that because I saw Nani playing for Portugal's first team in three, four ocasions and looked very composed and mature. In the last game against Belgium he took an huge responsability to replace Ronaldo and he was the MOM and scored to give Portugal three really important points.

PJ Macca, Doncaster (09/07/2007 at 17:37)

Personally i don't care if Richardson stays or goes but the bigger the squad the more likley we're going to cope with any injuries or suspensions

Steve in Brussels (09/07/2007 at 17:45)

In other words Fergie will not be seen to show a player the door because they 'asked to leave'. a couple must move on or they will not get a game. Think of Cudicini, SWP, Geremi at Chelsea. At a certain point (As Geremi has done) senior players will get annoyed and want football irrespective of the money. Smudger and Heinze certainly will if not playing. Silvestre or O'Shea might as well. Fergie knows that he will not be able to keep talented youngsters the likes of Evans, Pique, Rossi happy if they are 3rd choice left-back or striker. Tough decision. Keep players he likes who he feels have served him well like Tweetie, O Shea and Smudger and Heinze and stifle the youngsters or move the stalwarts on and hope the young players take their chance and don't crack under the pressure of being a Man U player

Yorkie, huddersfield (09/07/2007 at 17:50)

Of all the squad members we have I really hope Rossi stays at the club and earns the place as a striker he richly deserves. I am sure he will get quite a number of games during which he can really prove himself to be a top premiership striker.

Redtothebones, Mauritius (09/07/2007 at 17:53)

I honestly cannot believe SAF on this. I am sure he knows who he wants to stay or not. It's just management diplomacy. In any case he has already been told he needs to sell before buying again and with the figures that are being thrown about for Tevez he will definitely have to sell. KR and AS are two obvious choices but I would really like Rossi to be given a real chance to prove himself. It cannot be a coincidence that so many good teams are interested in his services.
These are exciting days for all United fans and I cannot wait for the new season to start.

Pat (09/07/2007 at 18:24)

there's no doubt players will be leaving, Richardson hopefully, Smith I can't see getting in the team. I would guess one or two others as well

Frank Old Trafford (09/07/2007 at 18:42)

I must admit that I'm surprised that SAF doesn't expect anyone to leave. He's opening the door but he's not going to push anyone. Of course it might just be fergiespeak for trying to get market value for any player that leaves.

The most likely to leave are KR and Smith who are not going to get much playing time and could advance their careers at another club. Even though we have a surplus of defenders we saw last year that quality replacements are even more important than up front.

Gary is already struggling to be fit for the start of the season and I think we'll see him miss quite a few games next season. Wes, JOS, Gaby, Mik, Bardsley and Pique are our resrerves for defence and at least 2 of them are unlikely to see much first team football or even the bench. So I reckon that at least one of them will leave.

I doubt that anyone will leave from midfield except KR who obviously has no future at the club, while DF will get more games than either nani or Anderson.

We can assume that Ole will only been used in desperation but Smith will be demoted to fourth or fifth choice with Carlitos' arrival and if he is realistic and wants to revive his career he must take the first decent offer that comes along. Having players like Saha, Tevez or Roo on the bench is a luxury and for all his heart I can't see Smith dislodging any of them.

The general consensus is for Smith, KR and Mik to leave with maybe another two from Gaby, Bardsley, Rossi and Pique.

This is the best squad that I've ever seen at United and one that finally reflects the prestige of the club.

Mick, Dublin (09/07/2007 at 20:01)

Fergie has to say that he doesn't expect anyone to leave. Any buying clubs will never meet our asking price if he was to say "x, y and z are already surplus to requirements"

Have to agree with Frank. We've got a blinding squad and I am counting the minutes until next season. Brrriiiiiing it on!!!

This charming Manc (09/07/2007 at 21:52)

This squad has to win the champions league at least once every 3/4 years. It has an amazing mixture of players who have been there and done it like Van Der Sar,Neville,Scholes and Giggs. The squad has up and coming stars at a great age like Foster,Vidic,Ronaldo and Rooney. And we are adding players like Nani,Anderson,Tevez and Hargreaves to a team which won the league and came close to winning a treble. I wonder if in 10 years time we will look back at this squad and it will contain 2,3 or 4 players who have won a European footballer of the year award like Best,Law and Charlton did? Rooney,Ronaldo,Tevez,Nani and Anderson all have the talent to do it!

COLIN, CANADA, Canada (09/07/2007 at 22:17)

From a financial prospective, players will have to go. Smitty and Gabby alone will be a big saving but there is no place for KR or Ole. I'm sure United will look after Ole as they should but KR simply has done nothing to merit another year. Sly may stay because of his versatility but I would sell him on as JOS can cover Evra adequately. I don't see a job for Bardsley either so I think we will see a fair bit of movement out the door.

TMUF, Manchester (10/07/2007 at 10:03)

If Heinze does go, I can see Giggs playing as LB if Nani or Anderson become undroppable.

sandesh wazza's no.1 fann!! (10/07/2007 at 10:14)

Nani is a great sighning hes guick and can play on both wings and hes dubbed to be d next c.ronaldo whoa!! imagine 2 c.ronaldo's, hargreaves is also supposed to be brilliant and supposed to play like roy keane!! andersons also good hes dubbed t be d next ronaldhnio and tevez is inches away from arriving personally i think we're UNSTOPPABLE!!

salfordite (10/07/2007 at 10:50)

Roll on August!!!!!!!!

SukhothaiRed, Sukhothai Thailand (10/07/2007 at 12:15)

I wonder whether the move for Anderson was also a pre-emptive move. I can't see him getting too many games this season with Scholes playing like he did last season...

JonyB-), North Staffs (10/07/2007 at 18:00)

TMUF, i wondering if Heinze will give it another year- just so he can play a part with his good friend Tevez and another south american Anderson as well as that samba influence of ronaldo and Nani??

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