This year, the Portuguese winger has answered his critics in spectacular style. Last summer the 23-year-old was among the most likely of United players to be heading for the Old Trafford door.
Having signed from Sporting Lisbon for £18m in 2007, his form in his 73 appearances for United up to the end of last season put a huge question mark over his future with the Reds as he failed to win over his critics.
The majority of supporters and expert observers were unconvinced Nani could become United material but despite interest from around Europe, Reds' boss Sir Alex Ferguson kept faith with his Portuguese international.
And his faith has been paid back in buckets. Since New Year Nani has begun to silence his doubters.
His part in the clinical destruction of Arsenal at the Emirates was the highlight, but impressive displays against Hull, City and Portsmouth have seen him build a consistent return. Now the player is making the kind of headlines he's been dreaming about.
Impress
"I came to United because I wanted to impress and to make good stories. I didn't want anyone saying when I left that Nani was at United but he did nothing," Nani told MEN Sport.
"When I leave eventually I want the fans to remember me as a big player for the club. I want them to say that Nani did well for United. That is what I want.
"I don't think people have seen me like that so far. But I am young. I have time on my side. We will see what happens over the next few years.
"I am sure there were some clubs who wanted to buy me in the summer. I am at the best club in the world so everyone wants to buy United players because they know we have quality.
"I never wanted to go. When you are feeling low and things aren't going well, you do feel alone. There have been times like that. But I never thought about quitting and going back to Portugal.
"I am so happy here. The most important thing is to feel at home and I feel at home now. That is a good feeling.
"My form has been very good recently but I know I can do better. I will work hard to do that.
"I know everyone is surprised that suddenly I am the man who is playing very well. But I am so happy that everyone is speaking about me now.
"I think I have probably changed people's opinions of me. That is very good. Players like to be in this situation. You want the fans to be with you and feel confident. You want to media to be writing good stories about you.
"Everyone in the club is giving me good support and telling me good things about me. This is all very good.
Critics
"It is important for a player to feel this way to be able to be in good form and full of confidence. I am feeling like that now. I am so happy."
Nani has been aware that he hadn't been flavour of the month many times with United fans and the critics also had a downer on him.
But the winger says his character got him through the difficult times.
"I was in a bad position sometimes and it wasn't easy to get up again. But I have shown I don't get depressed too easily," he adds.
"Of course, your confidence does suffer on occasions and you get down but I am the sort of person who can get back up quickly. I am a strong personality. I am always forward-looking.
"If you are not a strong character then it will drag you down and you won't be confident or look to the future anymore. But I am not like that.
"One thing I know I am sure about is that I have the quality to be one of the best in the world. I can achieve that.
"I always felt it would happen for me. I know my quality."
Nani accepts he's had tough times and his form hasn't always been consistent but he believes the picture has been painted bleaker that it really is.
"I thought I did well in the past," he says. "People sometimes seem to remember all the bad things. But if you go back and look at some of the good things I have done here then you will see very good games.
"I have actually achieved more in the past than people give me credit for. I have been here two years and won two leagues. I have scored goals and played more good games than now.
"But people seem to pick on the bad bits and highlight the good bits at the moment. I just have to keep those good moments going now.
"I was disappointed at the start of the season because I had started well but then had my ankle injury. That was a blow.
"But since that has cleared up I have been able to work hard every day in training and prepare for my chance. Once you get the opportunity you have to keep hold onto it."
Nani's recent form was put down to Fergie employing him on the right wing instead of the left side he's occupied for the majority of his games for the Reds.
Strong
But the winger says he's not bothered which side he plays on.
"My right foot is my stronger one but I don't have a preferred position," he says.
"I can do it on either side. You saw against Portsmouth that I was still in form when I was back on the left.
"If you are feeling confident it doesn't matter which side of the pitch you are on or in which area you are playing. It is all about confidence."
Nani's form has also been endorsed by his Portuguese international team-mate and former United colleague Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Real Madrid star has remained in regular contact with his buddy.
"Cristiano is a good man and he has been very pleased for me," Nani says.
"We speak a lot on the phone and we text each other. He was a great help for me when he was at United and now he's happy that things are going well for me at the moment."
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SIMON., DERRY, N. IRELAND. (10/02/2010 at 09:23)
"One thing I know I am sure about is that I have the quality to be one of the best in the world. I can achieve that. I always felt it would happen for me. I know my quality."
That is exactly what Nani needs to keep reminding himself of, just as Cristiano did, because if he keeps belief in his ability and talent then he will be one of the best in the world. I for one have never doubted him or his talent but I still believe he needs to be played in his strongest position on the right to fully achieve this.
Support the Team and Live the Dream.....
I saw Duncan Edwards play, Walton Le Dale (10/02/2010 at 09:24)
Gilly, Belgium (10/02/2010 at 09:26)
keep it up mate !
Dublinred, Dublin (10/02/2010 at 10:20)
I would,nt like to write this letter with my left hand.
The Man frae Govan (10/02/2010 at 10:38)
Gilly, Belgium (10/02/2010 at 10:47)
DUB RED, CLONDALKIN (10/02/2010 at 11:44)
Since66, Amersham (10/02/2010 at 12:12)
However, in the same way as we may be premature to criticise players, I feel there is a danger we (and the media) are a little quick to put Nani onto a pedestal. He's had a few good games recently, clearly has talent and if he's still playing at the same level as now over the next 12 months then great, yes, he could be the new CR8 and I hope he is. But that memorable trick he turned against Arsenal or his excellent performance in the last few games is not enough to say 'great player' or even to say he should start and Valencia should sub.
On current form, he deserves to start on the right for now. I'd like to see Valencia through the middle too. Agree with the comments about Nani on the left - clearly not right for him.
Lee , Heywood, Heywood (10/02/2010 at 12:18)
SIMON., DERRY, N. IRELAND. (10/02/2010 at 12:19)
The exact same can be said of Berbatov who I personally think is having a good season but sometimes we fans think that Nani should just step into Ronaldo's boots or Berbatov straight into Cantona's as they play a similar style of football. In reality it's just not the case and this can cause unrest in the fans which in turn ends up with these players being labelled as flops before they know it!
I think the players deserve alot more credit than they get from the fans, afterall we're on course for more silverware this season (Which isn't a given right, even if we are Manchester United!!). I post the same sign off at the bottom of every post I make because whether we're playing well or not, the team deserves our full support.
Support the Team and Live the Dream.....
david john hope (10/02/2010 at 12:19)
Brora boy, Highlands (10/02/2010 at 12:53)
Of Mancs and MEN, Hound Green (10/02/2010 at 13:03)
George Scales , M24 you know the score (10/02/2010 at 14:04)
I only hope he doesn't get too carried away by this purple patch and keeps knuckling down to hard work, that's the United ethic.
Well done lad, but keep it going.
LUHC
Red Afro, Derby (10/02/2010 at 14:12)
jordy, Middleton (10/02/2010 at 14:43)
Sam Davis (10/02/2010 at 14:43)
GC Northstand (10/02/2010 at 15:18)
It is as though we have signed a new player, so hopefully he will develop into the player that SAF and the staff identified when he was brought in from Sporting.
He has real pace and will frighten defenders especially if he has the team mentality.
I do wonder why certain individuals need to criticise other players when articles appear that have no reference to them, the constant rubbish aimed at Berby is simply that rubbish.
BELIEVE
Excellence Of Execution (10/02/2010 at 15:35)
Another point- I can't believe some of the Berbatov comments. He's had an injury, and the club were deciding whether to send him for treatment or not. They didn't, but he's still managed 4 goals in his last 4 starts. I wrote some time back, that his goals often came in the second half of the season, and I also believe that he and Valencia are developing a beautiful understanding on the pitch. If you don't know Berbatov by now, then you don't know football- he's a class player.
moorz, Dublin (10/02/2010 at 15:42)
Red-Brit-in-It (10/02/2010 at 16:46)
Duncan, London (10/02/2010 at 17:18)
paul salmon (10/02/2010 at 17:21)
Most importantly, however, is that the pendulum appears to have swung for him where the support of the fans is concerned. This delights me because we were in danger of losing a VERY special talent.
I was particularly saddened throughout the times when almost every post slated Nani, as I could always see the ability and potential in abundance. I would also like to state that, whilst I agree that he is better on the right, I don't see this as essential as many feel it is.
Aside from heading, Nani's talents are very similar to Ronaldo, who arrogantly popped up WHEREVER the fancy took him. Quite often this was on the left. Now Nani himself admits to having no problem playing there, and I believe him. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, it's all about CONFIDENCE. This boy is regaining the confidence he had when he first arrived.
And when that confidence is fully restored, and it's applied to the maturing decision making and team ethic that we are seeing ... THEN we will see the real Nani. And that player will develop into one of the world's best. Pace to burn, two-footed shooting and trickery, and an eye for a pass, that's what he has in his locker. And all of this at devastating levels.
This is what I have always seen in Nani, and why I have always talked up his talents. Believe me when I say he can play ANYWHERE across the forward line. We may soon be happy to see Valencia on one wing and Nani on the other. Full backs beware!
It's all about confidence with Nani, that's all!
Paul, Whalley Range
I see the Stretford End Arising (10/02/2010 at 17:30)
I'd prefer to see him back in Dave Whealans car and our £18 million back instead.
RED ARMY 1999, swinton (10/02/2010 at 17:44)