Nani's key role

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 14-02-2011, 13:30

Manchester United Official Web Site - Nani's key role

In his first few seasons at Old Trafford, Nani, like so many of his team-mates, found himself in Cristiano Ronaldo’s shadow.

The promise was undeniable, but Nani struggled to replicate the sort of consistency we came to expect from his prolific compatriot. One week he'd terrorise defenders, the next he'd drift in and out of the game as he struggled to stamp his authority on the English league.

But ever since the beginning of 2010 - and this season in particular - Nani’s talent has yielded an unarguable return of goals, assists and game-breaking play. In short, he's become one of United's most influential and effective players.

There's little doubt the Portuguese winger is now an established attacking figure in Sir Alex's strongest XI. Combining elements of classic wing play – the pace and whipped crosses so crucial in the absence of Antonio Valencia – with the cut inside and a ferocious shot, Nani now has a full palette of attacking colours to choose from. And his strength with either foot means defenders are constantly kept on their toes.

No other United player is as effective striking from outside the box (Nani has netted four of the nine scored in total this term), he leads the Barclays Premier League assists table with 13 (15 in all competitions) and his 10 goals thus far is already a seasonal best. And, don't forget, there are still more than three months of the campaign to play.

If you drill down further and look at goals where Nani has played a significant role (eg. his defence-splitting pass at Blackpool to Darren Fletcher, which the Scot then squared for Berbatov to tap in, or the teasing cross at Stoke that Nemanja Vidic then headed back across goal for Javier Hernandez to nod in), you can add another seven goals to Nani’s 2010/11 scrapbook. That’s 32 vital contributions in 30 games.

Whichever way you slice it, there’s no doubt Nani has come of age.

2010/11 (so far)
Apps: 22
Goals: 9
Assists: 13

2009/10
Apps: 23
Goals: 4
Assists: 10

2008/09
Apps: 13
Goals: 1
Assists: 4

2007/08
Aps: 26
Goals: 3
Assists: 6

Stats for league games only

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 26-02-2011, 20:50

I laughed when they started talking about which foot was his strongest. His strongest is his right but he's comfortable on his left. Hansen suggested he thought his left foot was strongest because he cuts inside... does that mean his strongest is his right foot when he's playing on the left wing. Load of nonsense, he just prefers to come central than go to the byline.

**se7en** · 26-02-2011, 20:59

If his left was the strongest then he would take set pieces with it

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 07-09-2011, 19:45

What do we think of Nani's first 4 appearances of this season? He started with a bang against City and I thought that was going to provide him with the confidence that would propel him to Ronaldo's level in 06/07 but the first 3 prem games he's not been great, i'm a big fan of his but he's been quite quiet in my opinion, with Young arriving, the attacking threat down the wings is more balanced rather than there being more emphasis down the right, maybe there's more of an emphasis down the left now actually but maybe it just seems that way as there was zero attacking play down the left last season.

Saying all that, he'll probably come out on Saturday night and destroy Bolton. I hope this is the case as when things go right for him, he is devastatingly good.

**Berba_God** · 07-09-2011, 21:03

Originally Posted by JSNFRMN_MUFC

What do we think of Nani's first 4 appearances of this season? He started with a bang against City and I thought that was going to provide him with the confidence that would propel him to Ronaldo's level in 06/07 but the first 3 prem games he's not been great, i'm a big fan of his but he's been quite quiet in my opinion, with Young arriving, the attacking threat down the wings is more balanced rather than there being more emphasis down the right, maybe there's more of an emphasis down the left now actually but maybe it just seems that way as there was zero attacking play down the left last season.

Saying all that, he'll probably come out on Saturday night and destroy Bolton. I hope this is the case as when things go right for him, he is devastatingly good.

Sums up Nani's situation well

**g@mb!t** · 08-09-2011, 02:34

Young's outperformed so far this season, and in the last 3 games i think Nani's been frustrating to watch but he did create a few moments of magic in between. He seems to flutuate between excellent and frustrating in games. I don't think he lacks confidence anymore, that cheeky chip over Szczeny is proof of how confident he is. It's his decision making that he needs to work on still.

I've never seen him do anything useful when he spends time thinking what to do next! Nani is at his best when he's spontaneous!

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 10-09-2011, 19:57

2 assists, I should criticise him more often. Young was quiet today though. Imagine the day where we get both wingers on form...

**se7en** · 10-09-2011, 21:59

Still frustrating at times but mostly brilliant great skill for Hernandez's 2nd

**se7en** · 18-09-2011, 19:35

World class performance just incredible Ashley Cole keeps getting destroyed by our wingers. Goal was immense after a good ball by Evans. Turned every Chelsea player inside out during the course of the match

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 18-09-2011, 21:19

Nani has 21 more assists + goals after 100 league games than Ronaldo did.

**IrishManc.** · 18-09-2011, 22:07

Outstanding today. Ran Chelsea ragged, himself and Young are so unpredictable. Propped up everywhere.

**g@mb!t** · 19-09-2011, 02:14

Wish he'd play every game like this, he was brilliant today, made England' best fullback look like an clueless idiot!

Nani still needs to find some consistency in his game though, he will most likely be frustrating as hell in his next game!

**Sideshow Bob** · 19-09-2011, 11:57

Originally Posted by JSNFRMN_MUFC

Nani has 21 more assists + goals after 100 league games than Ronaldo did.

An impressive stat. Their respective ages and experience is worth considering. Nani has just made his 100th league appearance at the age of 24 while Ronaldo was approximately 20.

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 19-09-2011, 13:00

Yes yes but it does go to show that his best days are probably still ahead of him. I don't expect him to score as much as Ronaldo did in 07/08 but I think it's possible he could score 15+ and assist more than Ronaldo ever did. Considering how many call him selfish he doesn't half create a lot of chances and assist a lot. He's shown before and again yesterday that he's more than entitled to go for goal himself now and again.

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 22-09-2011, 11:12

Full article: Interview: Nani - Official Manchester United Website

Having evolved into an integral component of United's attacking arsenal, Nani is central to Sir Alex Ferguson's plans for the future. The Portuguese winger spoke to Inside United for October's issue, discussing his standing in the dressing room, his personal ambitions and his chances of emulating Ryan Giggs' longevity...

There’s no mistaking the change in Nani. The nervous teenager who arrived at Old Trafford in 2007 mumbling answers through an interpreter is gone; in his place is a young man brimming with confidence, joviality and, most strikingly, conducting himself entirely in United’s native tongue.

The Portuguese winger’s sustained brilliance in 2010/11 bagged the players’ player of the year award last May, and that accolade marks a clear change in his standing within the Reds’ ranks. Moreover, it has sent his confidence skyrocketing.

“It was very important for me inside the dressing room, with my team-mates,” he grins. “It showed me that now everyone knows my position inside, on the team and how important I am in the team, how much responsibility I have for the team and the club as well. That’s making me more confident, making me happier, making me want more responsibility. Now I’m in the right position to do everything I wanted in the past. I have arrived in the position I want - respect – in the last two seasons.

“Last year was my best year, definitely my most consistent season. Now I hope this is my year. I will do my best. If I am fit for every game, I am 100 percent sure I will do my best and will do well for my team. This is a big chance to show I can do much more, that I’m a good player with a very strong mentality. I always work hard to be successful help my team to win titles.”

In a summer of change which has largely ushered in youth in the stead of experience, Nani has undergone a promotion to a position of greater responsibility within the team. It’s clear he appreciates the added pressure.

**se7en** · 24-09-2011, 20:13

Great goal and performance once again

**IrishManc.** · 24-09-2011, 20:14

Really dangerous. Keeps defenders on their toes all the time which is what you want.

**SDLRob** · 24-09-2011, 20:41

I'll probably be one of the few in here.... but Nani is pissing me right off.... Yes, his ability to run is great... when it works. But it doesn't work in 90% of the runs he makes... and today we would have had many more chances had he had the foresight to pass when he had the chance.

**Jorgefoo** · 24-09-2011, 20:50

His consistency has impressed me this season. His decision making is improving. Dribbling, passing and shooting at the right timeBetter than the previous seasons. Hope he can keep this up.

**se7en** · 27-09-2011, 23:09

What a cross

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 28-09-2011, 12:09

I didn't see this last night as my stream went down. That is an absolutely beaut of a cross. Another point on Nani is that it shows how valued he is in the team, the team looked to him to get us out of trouble when he came on and he should have been given a chance to win it.

**Sideshow Bob** · 28-09-2011, 13:19

Originally Posted by JSNFRMN_MUFC

I didn't see this last night as my stream went down. That is an absolutely beaut of a cross. Another point on Nani is that it shows how valued he is in the team, the team looked to him to get us out of trouble when he came on and he should have been given a chance to win it.

Bang on the money. Nani is now a leading player within the tam.

**metatron06** · 28-09-2011, 14:26

Nani and Rooney are our 2 match winners. Nani in particular, though he is wasteful at times, is still our most effective player in the course of the season (last year being a very good example and early this season as well). I'd rather a player who tries and dares to fail than one who plays it safe all the time. His goal against Chelsea, his goal against Stoke and his cross for the equalizer last night are proof that he is a big game player with the ability to change a game. I'll put up with his idiosyncrasies for that.

And by the way, the only reason why he doesn't win individual awards is that people can't stand his face (it's not his exaggerated response to being tackled, many players have won in the past who are proven divers).

**metatron06** · 28-09-2011, 14:29

One more thing. I only wish Berbatov had the same courage of Nani to just try something. Too often Berbatov waits for the perfect opportunity to make the perfect shot and in the end most of the time, doesn't make the shot at all. Nani is thick-skinned and will put up with his teammates frustrations and try it anyway. That's why he scores so many and has so many assists, even though he also misses a fair lot of them.