Remember this guy?
The departure from Old Trafford of a certain Luis Carlos Almeida Da Cunha seemed as assured as Queen’s Park Rangers losing at Stamford Bridge up until recently. Sir Alex Ferguson has squashed rumours that Nani is on his way out of United- at least of the foreseeable future and it’s now just a question of whether the winger can have any form of impact this season.
So far in this campaign Nani has been poor to say the least, I’m a big fan of his but even I’ve struggled to defend him at times as his performances have gone from the erratic, to the downright disinterested.
One goal and an assist in seven league games is hardly cause for a transfer out of the club, but it’s the standard of Nani’s displays which have caused most fans to turn against him. You can almost feel the anger towards Nani at games now, before he’s even touched the ball, its almost as if the crowd are pre-empting his mistakes. Most Reds on the social networking sites seem resigned to the fact that Nani’s not cut out for United and we need to get rid, but I’ve not quite given up on the former Sporting Lisbon man for several reasons.
Antonio Valencia
“Tony V’s” form is so poor of late that I genuinely am concerned as to whether we’ll ever see the player that almost delivered a 20th title to Old Trafford at the back end of last season. Valencia seems unwilling to attack his full back, incapable of delivering a decent cross and bereft of anything resembling confidence, it’s bizarre just how badly he’s been playing- on the whole. There may have been signs of the old Tony V now and again, but these are few and far between. Nani is capable of playing on the right wing- and certainly seems to prefer it and there’s no denying competition or even a replacement for Valencia so he can be rested wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
The Young Carrick and Evra ‘factor’
A few weeks ago Ashley Young was declared not good enough for United by practically anyone with access to the internet and while he’s not totally proved his worth, the last few performances have at the very least showed he can be a useful asset to side. Many fans were crying for Young to be dropped at one point or another while a small minority – at least on social networks- were defending him, now the roles seem reversed as it’s the majority who are realising the winger has something to offer. Michael Carrick was labelled ‘not good enough’ or ‘too negative’ by many critics and this season has been the best English centre midfielder on the planet by a country mile.
Patrice Evra was another player eclared ‘useless’ by so many Reds I’ve been amazed by it and somewhat sick of defending one of my favourite players. Many were claiming he was past it and Leighton Baines was actually on his way – or even worse Alexander Buttner should be first choice – erm “megalolz” however I’d argue that this season Evra has been one of the best left backs in the prem and more than silenced his critics. Almost. Is there any reason to truly believe Nani couldn’t turn opinion back in his favour if three players who received a lot more stick than he has, have managed to do so?
Real Madrid
Name me three players on the United side who could feasibly ‘tear Madrid a new one’ Robin Van Persie? Chicharito? Wayne Rooney….maybe? United don’t have a lot of out and out match winners capable of creating something out of nothing and truly terrorising a side, but Nani is one of them and come the Madrid games could well prove to be priceless.
Not Ronaldo
Nani isn’t as good as one of the greatest players of all time but that doesn’t make him rubbish. Tom Cleverley is nothing like Paul Scholes yet people still expect him to be and it baffles me. Why fans assume Nani should do the job that a once in a generation player like Ron did, is beyond me, but just because he isn’t as good as CR7 doesn’t mean he can’t be a player who can win us games.
Nani may be frustrating and he may be heading for the exit door- eventually- but let’s not kid ourselves that we don’t need him. If Sir Alex is telling the truth and there are no more players coming to Old Trafford this window, then we need to utilise the ones we’ve got and Nani is one of them.
Owen !! Do one u idiot who cares how u spell quashed !! If u ain’t got owt productive to say then don’t say owt !! Oh sorry should t say owt ill say anything instead coz I wouldn’t want an English lesson now !!!
Owen !! who cares how u spell quashed !! If u ain’t got owt productive to say then don’t say owt !! Oh sorry should t say owt ill say anything instead coz I wouldn’t want an English lesson now !!!
Carl: Sorry to upset you petal, but the guy who wrote the article is clearly an aspiring writer – not a bad one at that!
The best thing for any aspiring to writer is to tighten and hone their writing techniques and add to their vocabulary. I would appreciate somebody informing me if I was using a word in completely the wrong context.
I’ve got no problem with “Owt” – yes, it is a colloquialism and not formal language, but you used in in the right context and I understood what you meant.
I’m also not picky about typos – they happen!
…BUT, the writer was using completely the wrong word in the completely wrong context.
Owen you need to read a book now and then before you start having a go at a writer over one letter!
Pathetic and it’s actually you that’s wrong, you can ‘squash’ a rumour.
http://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2012/09/quash-vs-squash.html
Silly sad lad.
Haha #getalife
I think Nani is our best winger and as for Valencia I also think that ever since he started to wear the number 7 shirt he thinks he is a lot better than he is. I honestly believe he should be dropped and play Welbeck on the left and Young on the right.
United have just sold a winger to Blackburn that will be better than any of them in a years time by the name of Joshua King. The fastest player in the leagues.
Nani is going no where, all his critics should deal with that
Well said Damien I totally agree u can also squash a rumour ,,, and I’m sure he knew what context it was meant also !! Just he’s that sad thought he’d say his bit !!! Don’t think he’s as intelligent as he thinks he is reminds me kind of a joey Barton !!! Ha full of useless information read from a book not his brain
You all made my day Nani way better than the over hyped stone age footballer Valencia
9ce aticle, I am also a fan of Nani, but sometimes he plays rubbish, he single handedly gave chelsea our capital one cup glory, if I remember that game, I found it difficult to forgive him, but all the same, I believe he still have something good to offer, if he can stop being selfish on the ball.
Nice aticle, I am also a fan of Nani, but sometimes he plays rubbish, he single handedly gave chelsea our capital one cup glory, if I remember that game, I found it difficult to forgive him, but all the same, I believe he still have something good to offer, if he can stop being selfish on the ball.
I agree that we need Nani but he has to be committed and hungry to play, even if its only until the summer. Long term I sense Ferguson will sell him and freshen up the wide areas, which could see someone like Zaha or Rodriguez arrive. Nani is a talent and I hope he has a positive impact when he returns. He can be a big player in helping us win the title. I’m sure if he was to leave, probably for Italy or Spain, he will want to go out with another Premiership title medal.