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What’s wrong with Nani?
Nani has been forced to apologise for his crazy headbutt against West Ham and both manager Sir Alex Ferguson and assistant Carlos Queiroz lamented the Portuguese for his impetuousness - yet the midfielder's red card has been the culmination of weeks of poor form. So what is wrong with the prodigious 21-year-old?
Nani has been forced to apologise for his crazy headbutt on West Ham’s Lucas Neill in the first half of Manchester United’s critical game against West Ham.
With the visitors having pulled the score back to 3-1, Nani’s dismissal might have proved significant and both manager Sir Alex Ferguson and assistant Carlos Queiroz lamented the Portuguese for his impetuousness at such a vital time in the season.
The midfielder’s red card has been the culmination of weeks of poor form, however. His final ball has frequently been misplaced or not forthcoming at all - like at Stamford Bridge in the crunch encounter with Chelsea - and the 21-year-old has demonstrated his immaturity during United’s most crucial games of the entire campaign. In fact, his performances are reminiscent of compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo’s during his first season at the club - the desire to impress is clear, but there is often no end product and a lack of selflessness.
Nani has been fined two weeks’ wages and Ferguson was unimpressed, “The game was marred by the immaturity of Nani. He bought the challenge from their player and retaliated. He will learn from that.”
Most important is that Nani will learn from his mistakes – much like Ronaldo has done.
On current form, the Scot is taking a risk on an enigma in selecting Nani for the Champions League final
Nani ought to treat Ronaldo as his role model, because there is little doubt he has the dexterity and panache to emulate the player who is currently rated number one on the globe. His fantastic goal against Tottenham early in the season and the impudent skills he demonstrated versus Arsenal suggest he has the temperament to become one of Manchester United’s leading stars and thus taking some of the responsibility off Ronaldo’s shoulders and onto his own.
Ferguson must now decide whether Nani deserves a starting place in the United side that will take on Chelsea in Moscow. On current form, the Scot is taking a risk on an enigma. Nani could make Chelsea toil down the wing with his quick feet and exemplary close ball control or instead frustrate his manager if he is unable to assert his influence.
Whatever his decision might be, Ferguson certainly did not plan to use Nani as much as he has done. Only bought last summer, the idea was to give the explosive winger a taste of Premier League action rather than a full-on 40 appearance buffet. Nani’s misdemeanours and inconsistency can be put down to youth - but having been given 12 months to settle down, much more will be expected of him next season.
What do you think? Has Nani impressed this season or not? Share your views below.
Tags: Alex Ferguson, Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo, Euro 2008, Luis Nani, Portugal
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He was an idiot againt West Ham, but he is young and will learn. He has blown a bit hot and cold but again that’s down to age. Should he play in Moscow? Well that depends on who is going to take his place, if it’s going to be giggsy then I would rather have Nani on the pitch.
Of course Nani is good for Man Utd….he is still young and has alot to improve.
Why is it that since now he is passing through a bad patch everyone is saying he isn’t good..
That’s what people used to say about Ronaldo..remmeber Wenger saying to fergie that he paid a lot of money for him.
Also this is his first season at MaUtd and he already gave more than desired…
There’ll be a lot of pressure on the kid if he’s picked. A lot will depend on whether Essien starts at right back. Ronaldo and Nani can certainly give the pairing of Belletti and Cashley absolute fits if they keep shifting back and forth. Essien, however, is quick and muscular enough to dish out the stick. One thing that hasn’t been mentioned is that, even though Ronaldo was a sort of selfish, diving, one-trick-pony, stepover spiv in his first season, he’s always been mentally tougher than he’s been given credit for. Nani telegraphs his emotions much more clearly than Cristiano ever did. I expect Park to start simply because of his perp[etual energy and superior mental toughness. However, if he gives the ball away a lot, like he did in the first game against Barca, I expect the Gaffer to pull him and bring on the kid. To talk about getting rid of Nani is ridiculous. The boy made a bad mistake, which, against another team might have been fatal, but wasn’t. First we need to see if he’s a nutter like Djemba-Djemba or Obi-Mikel. neither of whom will ever learn or change. Only time will tell, but it’ll be a couple more seasons before everybody wants his replica shirt.
he has been disappointing a couple of times this season but as u guys rightly said he will learn.As for me,im a gunner so i have a particular grudge against him 4 scoring the type of goal he scored against us in our FA cup tie.Personally i dont like him
I would like to advice C. Ronaldo to stay Man United to grow and become a football legend of his time. Let him know that Real Madrid is not interested in his football talents but rather want to use him for marketing as a commodity to close the gap of their financial problems. He will regret going to Real Madrid in just one season. once again I advice him to stay at ManUnited for the next 3-5 years to grow and be happy. Man United fans the world over are all behind you.
LONG LIVE C. RONALDO, LONG LIVE MAN UNITED.
Thanks
ALHAGI S. CHAM - THE GAMBIA WEST AFRICA