Nani's only looking ahead

Stuart Mathieson

March 12, 2010

FOCUSED: Nani

Manchester United winger Nani aims to make up for his Carling Cup final disappointment with a Premier League and European Cup double.

The 23-yera-old's red card at Aston Villa last month cost him a Wembley appearance against Martin O'Neill's side as he completed a three-match suspension.

But concerns that his sending off could have meant a frustrating time waiting for his chance again eased with an immediate United senior return at Wolves last Saturday.

On Wednesday he was instrumental in the Reds' 4-0 Euro triumph against AC Milan. His excellent cross for Wayne Rooney's second goal ensured United's passage to the last eight.

This Sunday against Fulham he will look to revive the consistent form that preceded his red card.

"It could be a fantastic season for me and I am working hard for that," said Nani.

"Villa was a big disappointment for me. I was a bit down after that. But I am working hard again and I hope I can get more experience every game and help the team like I did.

"I want to get my form back quickly and consistently. That is the most important thing for me at the moment.

"I know I did a strong tackle at Villa but I saw the ball and I was only going for that but the referee sent me off.

"It was a setback because I was playing well at the time and was happy with my form.

"I did worry that it would take a while for me to get back but it hasn't been too bad.

"I don't think about Villa anymore. It is in the past for me. I just have to concentrate on what is ahead.

"There are many things we are still going for that would make up for me missing the Carling Cup final at Wembley."

Would you play Nani on Sunday? Have your say.

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pkenro,kenya (12/03/2010 at 09:34)

why not

TMUF, Manchester (12/03/2010 at 09:53)

Nani has proved his exceptional skill level and will not only be a key player in the coming seasons, but will play a big part if we are to win any more trophies this season.

Scholesy passed me the ball.., LU:HG (12/03/2010 at 09:59)

Great ball for Rooney's second on Wednesday night...

Adebayors Knee Slide, Manchester (12/03/2010 at 10:15)

£1bn investment . . . Could have bought Norwich and burnt it down!!!

danny, WILMSLOW (12/03/2010 at 10:29)

Happy on the right Valencia happy on left or right perfect!

D.S, Stockport (12/03/2010 at 11:04)

only if \valencia had a left foot!!!! you wouldnt see a one footed player anywhere else.

Monkey tennis?, yes please (12/03/2010 at 11:14)

Sometimes he does only look ahead and fails to spot the man who's ran around the back of him in acres of space, ready and waiting to whip one in.

Same thing with Nani, he's better suited to playing on the right, even if he did pretty well at keeping it going against Meelan.

He's definitely got a bit more grit about him recently since his fall from favour, which is great to see. I've been pleasantly surprised by his determination and willingness. He is a decent player and no doubt will play his part in the run in - he's one of a rare breed who can do something out of nothing. The jury's probably swinging in his favour at the moment, but the end of the season reviews will paint a truer picture.

I saw Duncan Edwards play, Walton Le Dale (12/03/2010 at 11:22)

The question in the article states' would you play Nani on Sunday?' I answer with an unreservably YES!

Except for one slight blip, his form has been quite exceptional since the turn of the year. This so called blip was put down to the fact that he was chosen to play on the left wing. Now we all know that he plays better starting on the right, but with 'our Toni' currently playing like a reincarnated Steve Coppell in that particular position, we will have to put that conundrum to one side.

Nani is first and foremost a 'confidence' player. He thrives on crowd and fellow players' encouragement. Personally, I am quite happy to see him play on the left. He, himself, has publically stated that same fact. What does dismay me is to hear murmurings of discontent whenever he, for example, fails to control the ball or make a wayward pass early in the game. Fortunately, I thought our crowd was quite tolerant of his early match 'mistakes' on Wednesday. I could actually hear shouts of encouragement and some 'sympathetic' hand clapping when these early efforts went wrong for him.

The result, re the absence of groaning or jeering at him early on, proved my point in that he subsequently went on to produce a top class display for the rest of the match. I recall the superb, timely pass that put the Roonster through for his second goal. Later on, an excellent left wing centre with his LEFT foot had the crowd drooling in admiration. To coin a phrase, "I was reet chuffed for t' lad"!

Just goes to show what 'crowd encouragement' can produce in times of adversity.

Roll on Sunday, can't wait......

Ibrahim Bobat (12/03/2010 at 11:31)

If I am not mistaken. Nani has not lost a European game when he has played!!!!

The banners staying up..., Manchester (12/03/2010 at 11:52)

£1bn investment . . . Could have bought Norwich and burnt it down!!!
Adebayors Knee Slide, Manchester

what?!

Monkey tennis?, yes please (12/03/2010 at 12:32)

I saw Duncan Edwards play - good comments, and too true about the harsh critics inside of OT, of which, i must admit to being on more than one occasion! (I'm having too many cathartic moments on these pages of late!)

I've just posted elsewhere that Nani fumbles, flounders and flourishes all within one game - and if the flourishes are like the ball he knocked in for Mr Rooney's second then the fumbles and flounders will be forgiven. Too many f's i know but i've got that Friday Feeling! FFS!!!!!

stevi, france (12/03/2010 at 12:51)

Nani still has a lot to prove but needs to be given games to do that...more games will mean more consistancy and there's no question he does have the talent.

I saw Duncan Edwards play, Walton Le Dale (12/03/2010 at 12:58)

Monkey tennis?, yes please

I appreciate your humorous response to my earlier article, made me chuckle indeed.

By the way, perhaps a visit to the local chemist may alleviate the problem with your catharsis! Cheers.

outstation, perth, australia (12/03/2010 at 13:26)

I saw Duncan Edwards ...

Yep, absolutely spot on.

mikeyboyproduct, Beckenham, Kent (12/03/2010 at 13:50)

Nani is a right winger - his best games have been on the right. He's scored one or two great goals cutting in from the left but otherwise been ineffective, apart from that great ball he gave Rooney the other night. Valencia is a more convincing right winger though - to drop him for Nani would be madness so Nani's mission at the moment, should he wish to accept it, is to just get on a and do a job for the team and don't moan. If he does that he'll get his reward in Fergie heaven ie medals.

Mitch van Biljon (12/03/2010 at 14:01)

Whilst Nani has deserved the criticism he also is deserving of the praise. I have also been critical of Ferguson with some of his tactics but he has again proven his critics wrong. I am sure that his plans over the years are very detailed and he has total confidence in his team and is prepared to take risks and losses. That confidence in his overall strategy comes from years of preparation and knowledge of his team, their personalities and knowledge of the opposition.

Well done Ferguson, well done Nani.

Lee , Heywood, Heywood (12/03/2010 at 14:15)

Nani is better on the right than Valencia. He proved this over the course of the 4 games he was regularly selected there. Trouble is Valencia will not be able to play left while Nani cannot play great on the left.

Serge, Europe (12/03/2010 at 19:17)

I agree with that Lee, in form Nani looked like he could start to be something really special and I think he may be better than Valencia on the right. And again, Valencia presumably doesnt do well there or we´d have seen him featured there already. I do think though that Valencia is a far better option than Nani in terms of team defending so against top opposition Id rather see him on the right. They are both class, different, but very effective there (if Nani would show consistency of form on the right, which hes yet to be given a chance to do), so its a good problem to have. What would be really interesting is if we would retain them two and Obertan and add a left winger to our mix, so we would have 2 options for both positions (I do remember Blomquists addition bringing out much better performances and consistency from Giggsy than the couple of years prior to that when he would play regardless of form by default, with no other option there - not slating him though!)

paul salmon (12/03/2010 at 19:21)

I saw Duncan Edwards play,

Excellent comments as usual. I have long stated that Nani is a confidence player, the type who needs encouragement, not jeers. When the fans and other players start to get at him his head drops, and his performance follows suit.

Conversely, when fans and players alike encourage him, we see his superb skills unleashed and a swagger to his game. Indeed, the encouragement on wednesday for him was pleasing, as was his response.

Yes, he is better on the right, we all know that. However, Valencia has earned the that position, and Nani is easily the more capable of the two on the left. Not only can he cross with his left foot, or cut inside and hit screaming shots. But he can also play intelligent passes, either to Evra on the overlap, or to players infield. The ball to Rooney showed the vision and ability this boy possesses. He is a world class talent in the making, capable of becoming a world star.

All he needs now is a goal or two!

Paul, Whalley Range

Sean , NYXMC (13/03/2010 at 01:05)

Monkey - pretty much everyone fumbles, flounders and flourishes all within one game . Nev put in some godawful crosse, and one absolute peach. Rooney didn't do everything right, but got his 29th and 30th. Park was MoM, despite giving the ball away more than most. Nani gets more criticism than he deserves because (in my opinion) he tries things that other players don't - the difference lately is that they're starting to come off, a la that magnificent pass to Rooney. I agree with ISDEP, in that I'd definitely play Nani on Sunday - and I'd play him on the left again. He showed midweek that he CAN play there, and if, as stated here (and I agree) he's a confidence player, let him build on that and keep Tony on the right.

john coulias (13/03/2010 at 07:05)

I agree that Nani is a very talented player but does everyone not realise that his improvement started when we started playing him on the right, remember the Arsenal game? He is predominantly a right footed player and when you play him on the left he almost always tries to come inside onto his right foot. Don't get me wrong he is a brilliant player and I think that one option would be to play him down the middle he is big, strong can dribble and has an exellent shot. What do other people think?

bobbydazzler (13/03/2010 at 11:36)

paul salmon

you state nani can cross with his left . you are correct of course and we saw an absoloute blinder from him delivered from the bye line it caused all sort of panic. my beef is why does he not use that weapon more often? he can do it we have seen him do it and with some skill. the question remains why does he not do it more often?. 99% of the time he comes in on his right and more often than not the attack falters. the coaches need to get cracking and sort this problem out .

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