NANI could be offered an escape route from his Old Trafford torment with an Italian bolt-hole on the cards.

The United winger has damaged his chances of a long-term Reds' future with his comments about his treatment by manager Sir Alex Ferguson this week.

Tin hats will be the order of the day when the Portuguese international returns to Carrington for the inevitable face-to-face showdown with Fergie at the end of next week.

Its unlikely the United manager will be greeting him with a late card following his 23rd birthday this coming Tuesday!

Further quotes from Nani, who is with the Portugal camp for their World Cup qualifier play-offs against Bosnia, may smooth things over slightly.

Nani has added: "I often speak with the coach about my performance. I accept Ferguson's decision but I want to have more minutes on the field.

"After Cristiano Ronaldo left, I wanted a bigger role, but the coach picks the team.

"Against Chelsea I wanted a chance but it didn't come but you need to accept bad moments, I have no problem with the coach."

Nani's form in the two and half years he has been at Old Trafford since moving from Sporting Lisbon has failed to convince many that he could survive a bust-up with Ferguson.

The outburst from the winger has alerted both Juventus and Milan.

The two Serie A clubs are reported in Italy to have taken serious note of Nani's Old Trafford predicament and both are considering taking a chance on him in the January transfer window.

With the fit-again Gabriel Obertan impressing in his brief United introduction, it is unlikely that if an acceptable offer came in that Nani would be ordered to stay put.