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Rooney 10 + Ronaldo 7 Is What Manchester United's No. 17 Should Emulate For Them To Challenge This Season
Nani has been outstanding this season and the last. But as his form took a little dip, misfortune and ill-favour troubled United. It is for the Portuguese to exorcise those demons
13-Dec-2011 2:35:00 PM
By Arkaprabha Chakraborty
Getty Images
Their comparisions were as inevitable as the ruthless fans' thoughts of 'half the use for double the price' initially. Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha, known simply as Nani, did not have an easy welcome to Manchester United, having to be content with standing in the rather large shadow of his international team-mate, Cristiano Ronaldo.
There were several eyebrows raised in 2007 when Sir Alex Ferguson bought another Portuguese winger from the same club for 12 million more than they had paid for someone who had fast established himself as possibly the best player in the world at the time.
Out of the shadows| Nani has grown into his role after Cristiano Ronaldo's departure
But as it turned out, as it has on so many other occasions, Fergie knows best. Cristiano went across the channel to sunny Spain in 2009 to fulfil a new-found 'lifelong desire' to play for Real Madrid and Nani was promoted to the right wing that the man from Medeira had made his own.
It was for Nani to stand and deliver but he he seemed to wilt under the pressure as his form in the second half of 2009 was sub-standard at best and terrible at worst. He then attempted suicide with his Man United career as he did what better players than him have been booted out for. He ranted against the gaffer and his 'lack of confidence' in him.
But again, Sir Alex has not let emotion cloud judgement TOO often and after a tete-a-tete with the fiery Iberian, somehow got his form to double of what it was. And the Michael Jackson lookalike seemed to make every player dance to his tune as he slipped and slid past everything in his was, racking up 7 goals and 9 assists for the 2009-10 season. Phenomenal for a winger who was the equivalent of a new signing, finally getting a run of games after 2 years at the club.
2010-11 was Nani's own. No two ways about it. Hard stats may read 10 goals and 18 assists in 48 games, but his on field contribution was much more. Slick moves, a la Ronaldo, so many third balls-on. Something no one would understand if they didn't watch the games. Many including himself, were surprised that he had been nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year without being nominated for the PFA Player of the Year.
He started 2011-12 in much the same fashion, scoring twice, including the winner, in United's 3-2 Community Shield win over Man City. But over and inspite of highlights like the 8-2, it was plain for all to see that the team was losing steam, getting scrappy victories and lifeless draws. It culminated into United crashing out of the Champions League in the group stages itself.
A rupture in the ranks | Manchester United's defence will sorely miss Nemanja Vidic
But in the usual United way, the response was brilliant, with both players who had been touted to have lost form, Rooney and Nani, scoring a brace each against Wolves. But its still not all good. Having lost Nemanja Vidic for a year, United will be more susceptible than ever at the back. It is upto their forward players to ensure that they outscore their opponents.
Now, more than ever, United need all that Nani offers. Comfortable on both wings, tricky with the ball at the edge of the box, able to cut inside and score with both feet, great technique, curling free kicks, shots from distance and the ability to get past his man.
For a player everyone claims to be 'selfish', he has substantially fewer goals and more assists than the other Portuguese winger United once had. As United look to pull themselves out of the mini-slump (relatively speaking) and catch up with their pace-setting noisy neighbours, Nani must put the team above all else if he is to get his targeted double.
There he goes again | Not too many enjoy his theatrics as much as they do his ability
There were several eyebrows raised in 2007 when Sir Alex Ferguson bought another Portuguese winger from the same club for 12 million more than they had paid for someone who had fast established himself as possibly the best player in the world at the time.
Out of the shadows| Nani has grown into his role after Cristiano Ronaldo's departure
But as it turned out, as it has on so many other occasions, Fergie knows best. Cristiano went across the channel to sunny Spain in 2009 to fulfil a new-found 'lifelong desire' to play for Real Madrid and Nani was promoted to the right wing that the man from Medeira had made his own.
It was for Nani to stand and deliver but he he seemed to wilt under the pressure as his form in the second half of 2009 was sub-standard at best and terrible at worst. He then attempted suicide with his Man United career as he did what better players than him have been booted out for. He ranted against the gaffer and his 'lack of confidence' in him.
But again, Sir Alex has not let emotion cloud judgement TOO often and after a tete-a-tete with the fiery Iberian, somehow got his form to double of what it was. And the Michael Jackson lookalike seemed to make every player dance to his tune as he slipped and slid past everything in his was, racking up 7 goals and 9 assists for the 2009-10 season. Phenomenal for a winger who was the equivalent of a new signing, finally getting a run of games after 2 years at the club.
2010-11 was Nani's own. No two ways about it. Hard stats may read 10 goals and 18 assists in 48 games, but his on field contribution was much more. Slick moves, a la Ronaldo, so many third balls-on. Something no one would understand if they didn't watch the games. Many including himself, were surprised that he had been nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year without being nominated for the PFA Player of the Year.
He started 2011-12 in much the same fashion, scoring twice, including the winner, in United's 3-2 Community Shield win over Man City. But over and inspite of highlights like the 8-2, it was plain for all to see that the team was losing steam, getting scrappy victories and lifeless draws. It culminated into United crashing out of the Champions League in the group stages itself.
A rupture in the ranks | Manchester United's defence will sorely miss Nemanja Vidic
Now, more than ever, United need all that Nani offers. Comfortable on both wings, tricky with the ball at the edge of the box, able to cut inside and score with both feet, great technique, curling free kicks, shots from distance and the ability to get past his man.
For a player everyone claims to be 'selfish', he has substantially fewer goals and more assists than the other Portuguese winger United once had. As United look to pull themselves out of the mini-slump (relatively speaking) and catch up with their pace-setting noisy neighbours, Nani must put the team above all else if he is to get his targeted double.
There he goes again | Not too many enjoy his theatrics as much as they do his ability
Opposition fans may call him a diver, but if he wins those free-kicks in and around the box, the red half of Manchester couldn't give a fig. The Stretford End keeps chanting 'Are you okay? Are you okay? Are you okay Nani?' a la Smooth Criminal whenever he goes down on the pitch. It is the Portuguese's duty to show that he is more than okay.
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