Nani continued his great form of recent games when he played a key role in United’s win over Sunderland, scoring the only goal of the game after 28 minutes. It was Nani’s fourth goal in as many starts for the Reds since the beginning of April.

Nani started the game where he should always start and that is on the right side and this is where he is most lethal when running at defences. There is no doubt that he is in the form of his life.  He is settled at Manchester United and his confidence is showing through in his game.

Nani has admitted that Patrice Evra has helped him settle in at Manchester United.

“Pat has been a big friend for me,” Nani told the Sunday Times. “He always spoke about how we have to be patient, and how Manchester work with the players. He tried to show me how he was when he came, that they did the same with him. He said, ‘If you pass through the same as I did you will be in a good position’.”

ShareThis

In front of 75,00 fans at Old Trafford today, Manchester United returned to the top of the table after a well deserved 3-1 victory over Tottenham. Nani played a major part in securing the victory when he showed the sublime brilliance we all know he is capable of in the 81st minute, when he lifted a superb lofted chip over Gomes to put United up 2-1 with nine minutes remaining.

“I must say the finish was absolutely brilliant,” Sir Alex Ferguson told MUTV. “To have the audacity to try that at the stage of the game tells you about his courage.

Sir Alex went on to add that “Not many players would have tried that, particularly from such a tight angle. It was fantastic - 10 out of 10 for doing it.”

Nani then played a further part in securing the victory for Manchester United when he received the ball on the half way and ran at the tiring Tottenham defence.  After weaving into the box, Nani was brought down from behind by Palacios and Ryan Giggs duly converted his second penalty for the night to ensure a 3-1 victory.

Ryan Giggs praised his younger team-mate Nani.

“With ten minutes to go and to be one-on-one with the goalkeeper, to chip it over him like that shows great confidence. But he’s the talent he has throughout the season. We were all pleased to see it go in, and he deserved it.”

I think it is worth noting that Nani came into his own in the second half when Valencia was replaced and Nani played more on the right side of the field.  I know I have discussed this before but I really feel that Nani plays his best football on this side of the field and has shown in previous games that his crosses and runs into the box are far more effective from the right.

ShareThis

Manchester United were up 3-0  thanks to two goals from Nani in the 7th and 41st minutes and one from Darron Gibson in the 3rd minute.  However, Bayern launched a fight back to 3-2, winning the tie on away goals after a 4-4 aggregate draw.
Nani was at his best and its great to see his confidence back.  Its been a while since we have seen that ‘celebration’ but he showed his class today, in particular the right foot shot that he put into the back of the net.

“They were a bit lucky, because having one player sent off was the problem for us, it made the team a bit down. That was the difference,” Nani told MUTV.

“We’re feeling bad because we did so well in the first half - we scored three goals and I think it was one of our best performances - so we are disappointed.”

You should certainly not be disappointed with your effort Nani, well done and lets move onto the Premiership and Blackburn.

ShareThis

Nani has signed a new four-year contract with Manchester United.

Although Nani has two years left on his previous deal, there has been much speculation about his future.  Nani has always indicated that he wanted to stay at Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson has rewarded him for his recent good form.

Ferguson told Manchester United’s website: “He is an emerging talent and has developed tremendously since joining the club.”

With regards to his new contract, Nani said, : “I am delighted to have signed a new contract. It has been like a dream come true to play for Manchester United”.

“The coaching staff have taught me so much about the game and I’m playing alongside some of the best players in the world. I’m looking forward to winning many more trophies with this team.”

Well done Nani, you deserve it and you have certainly silenced some of your critics with your recent performances.

ShareThis

Nani was sent off on 29 minutes by referee Peter Walton in a 1-1 draw away to Aston Villa.

The result means that Manchester United is now a point behind Premier League leaders Chelsea. Nani was shown a straight red card for a two-footed challenge on Stiliyan Petrov and will likely miss United’s next three matches.

With regard to the send off, Sir Alex Ferguson said “It’s a red card, Nani went in double-footed and he can’t do that. It was a naive tackle and the referee had no option”.

Ferguson went on to say “But Nani is not a malicious player”. “He has been doing so well for us and we’ll now miss him for the League Cup final”.

“He’s also missing two league games which is just as important.”

ShareThis

Nani was the star in Manchester United’s 3-1 win over Arsenal.  Nani created United’s first goal after 32 minutes when he manouvered between two defenders on the right touchline, avoided a third and knocked a cross to the far post which saw the Arsenal keeper knock it into the top of his own net.

Nani was then heavily involved in a length of the field counter attack that resulted in Wayne Rooney scoring his 100th Premier League goal.

Sir Alex Feguson said after the match, “Maturity is why we’re seeing the best of him now,”

“His last three games have been absolutely first class but today was his best.”

“He’s a very shy boy and maybe his personality is getting stronger to play for us every week. Today was an example of that maturity,”

Nani, received the Man of the Match award and he told Sky Sports: “We had a very good match last Wednesday and everyone was confident about this game. The manager said we had to take the same attitude into this game and if we want to be champions, we have to play to win every game”.

“Was that my best game ever in a United shirt? I think so, yeah. I played well, scored one goal, got one assist and had many chances to score. It was a fantastic performance and I’m so happy to have helped my team and won this game”.

“I’m working hard every day to be fit to play for the team and to be strong and play well. I’m very happy because I feel the confidence of my team-mates, the manager and the fans. I’m very happy and I want to keep up this good form”.

Confidence is a wonderful thing and as we have said all the way along, if given the opportunity and the appropriate amount of time on the field, Nani will show everyone why Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to Manchester United in the first place.

ShareThis

Manchester United advanced to the final of the Carling Cup after winning won 4-3 on aggregate.
Nani had another strong game and once again attacked strongly down the right side particularly in the second half.

Even though Nani was substituted in the 89th minute, he has certainly shown enough in his last two appearances that he is starting to win over his knockers.
Nani has recently been reported as saying “My future is at Manchester United. I’ve heard all the rumours but my mission is to stay and help the club win more titles.  “I know what the coach expects from me and I’m trying to always offer my maximum level on the field.”

Manchester United play Arsenal on Sunday and I am sure Sir Alex Ferguson has been left with a selection dilema, however I feel that Nani has done enough to earn another start.

ShareThis