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EXCLUSIVE: Nani On Manchester United's Life After Carlos Tevez & Cristiano Ronaldo
In a tell-all interview with Goal.com, explosive winger Luis Nani took the time to discuss life at United after the departure of star duo Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo...
| Bet: | Returns: | Man Utd. £18.33 | Draw £35.00 | Liverpool £42.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Man Utd. £19.10 | Draw £32.00 | Liverpool £43.30 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Man Utd. £19.09 | Draw £35.00 | Liverpool £42.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Man Utd. £19.10 | Draw £35.00 | Liverpool £42.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Man Utd. £18.50 | Draw £33.50 | Liverpool £38.50 |
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Aug 31, 2009 9:00:41 AM
Goal.com Spain's Francisco Acedo caught up with Manchester
United starlet Luis Nani to talk about the Community Shield against
Chelsea, life at Manchester United without Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo, Premier League
competitors Chelsea and Liverpool, and his chances with the Portuguese national team.
Interview In Full
Goal.com: Nani, you have not started the season well but things are slowly picking up...
Nani: It was a shame losing the Community Shield against Chelsea, but I think we played well that day and had more chances than them. It would have been good to start the season winning a title, but it was not meant to be.
Goal.com: All eyes are on you after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, but the team also lost an important player in Carlos Tevez. What do you make of that?
Nani: We need to show that we are not dependent on Tevez and Ronaldo. This summer we have taken that step and are now ready to prove ourselves.
Goal.com: What will change with their absence? Will there be a new approach to your game or will the tactics remain the same?
Nani: I don't have to change the way I play, but the tactics are up to the manager [Sir Alex Ferguson]. Nobody can deny the quality of Cristiano and Tevez, but they are history for us and now the club has begun a new stage without them.
Goal.com: United's two main competitors, Chelsea and Liverpool, are looking stronger than last year. Are you still favourites to win the league title?
Nani: Yes, for me there is no doubt. We are still favourites to win the Premier League, although our rivals have improved over the summer. I am optimistic about this club.
Goal.com: What did Ferguson say in the locker room after it was confirmed that Cristiano was leaving to Real Madrid?
Nani: Ferguson does not speak of Cristiano Ronaldo during training. When we started the season he said Ronaldo was history for us and we were not going to crash without him.
Goal.com: In addition to losing Tevez and Ronaldo, United have also been dealt another blow by the injury of Edwin van der Sar. What do you make of that?
Nani: Van der Sar's injury comes at a bad time for the team, but I think [Ben] Foster has proven his quality in other games and can cover his position well.
Goal.com: Tell us about Wayne Rooney; now much of United's hopes are dependent on him in attack.
Nani: Rooney will be the key this year and I am convinced that he will score many goals. We are going to help him in the fight to become the Premier League's top scorer.
Goal.com: What can we expect from you? You have played 72 official matches for United since arriving two years ago, but this year your role seems more important.
Nani: I always offer my best in every game. Ferguson has spoken to me this summer and said he is confident in me. That gives me the strength to keep going.
Goal.com: What do you think of the comparisons between you and Ronaldo? You are both Portuguese and both played at Sporting Lisbon before coming to United.
Nani: I am not the new Ronaldo because we have different characteristics on the field, but nobody doubts that I can take the initiative to play well, and this will be my best year at United.
Goal.com: We talk about Chelsea and Liverpool, but what about Manchester City? Will they succeed with their expensive signings?
Nani: Manchester City have made many important signings this summer but that does not guarantee success. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal have not strengthened too much and have also lost some important players. I see the season ending up like last year, and we are prepared to follow up.
Goal.com: What about the national team? Do you think you will be stronger with Portugal this year?
Nani: I want to be with Portugal in the 2010 World Cup and for that I have to prove to [coach] Carlos Queiroz that I am earning pitch time as a starting player in the Premier League.
Feras Saad, Goal.com
Interview In Full
Goal.com: Nani, you have not started the season well but things are slowly picking up...
Nani: It was a shame losing the Community Shield against Chelsea, but I think we played well that day and had more chances than them. It would have been good to start the season winning a title, but it was not meant to be.
Goal.com: All eyes are on you after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, but the team also lost an important player in Carlos Tevez. What do you make of that?
Nani: We need to show that we are not dependent on Tevez and Ronaldo. This summer we have taken that step and are now ready to prove ourselves.
Goal.com: What will change with their absence? Will there be a new approach to your game or will the tactics remain the same?
Nani: I don't have to change the way I play, but the tactics are up to the manager [Sir Alex Ferguson]. Nobody can deny the quality of Cristiano and Tevez, but they are history for us and now the club has begun a new stage without them.
Goal.com: United's two main competitors, Chelsea and Liverpool, are looking stronger than last year. Are you still favourites to win the league title?
Nani: Yes, for me there is no doubt. We are still favourites to win the Premier League, although our rivals have improved over the summer. I am optimistic about this club.
Goal.com: What did Ferguson say in the locker room after it was confirmed that Cristiano was leaving to Real Madrid?
Nani: Ferguson does not speak of Cristiano Ronaldo during training. When we started the season he said Ronaldo was history for us and we were not going to crash without him.
Goal.com: In addition to losing Tevez and Ronaldo, United have also been dealt another blow by the injury of Edwin van der Sar. What do you make of that?
Nani: Van der Sar's injury comes at a bad time for the team, but I think [Ben] Foster has proven his quality in other games and can cover his position well.
Goal.com: Tell us about Wayne Rooney; now much of United's hopes are dependent on him in attack.
Nani: Rooney will be the key this year and I am convinced that he will score many goals. We are going to help him in the fight to become the Premier League's top scorer.
Goal.com: What can we expect from you? You have played 72 official matches for United since arriving two years ago, but this year your role seems more important.
Nani: I always offer my best in every game. Ferguson has spoken to me this summer and said he is confident in me. That gives me the strength to keep going.
Goal.com: What do you think of the comparisons between you and Ronaldo? You are both Portuguese and both played at Sporting Lisbon before coming to United.
Nani: I am not the new Ronaldo because we have different characteristics on the field, but nobody doubts that I can take the initiative to play well, and this will be my best year at United.
Goal.com: We talk about Chelsea and Liverpool, but what about Manchester City? Will they succeed with their expensive signings?
Nani: Manchester City have made many important signings this summer but that does not guarantee success. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal have not strengthened too much and have also lost some important players. I see the season ending up like last year, and we are prepared to follow up.
Goal.com: What about the national team? Do you think you will be stronger with Portugal this year?
Nani: I want to be with Portugal in the 2010 World Cup and for that I have to prove to [coach] Carlos Queiroz that I am earning pitch time as a starting player in the Premier League.
Feras Saad, Goal.com
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