Luis Nani | 2010/11 Performances

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I still remember Ronaldo's pinpoint cross VS Newcastle...

Actually, the problem with Ronaldo was he didnt' beat his man as much as Nani regarding crosses, we would do the tricks and stuff but would mostly pass it back and of course get into the end of things.

Nani for me beats the fullback and gets a decent cross in way more often.

Thats why for me I consider Nani a better winger, but Ronaldo's overall game would probably be better as he can head the ball, and has a better scoring ratio.

Both are great players and I wish we had seen them play more together for us at United.
 
9 goals in 23 league games. That is a fantastic return. He's scored more in the league this season than he has in his previous 3 put together.
 
I think it's fair to say Nani is the best winger in the country now. I don't see anyone better and he's been consistent for long enough now.

He's now in double figures for the season for goals which is where a player of his ability should be. If he could hit between 15-18 he would have had a magnificent season
 
Back in August I disagreed that he was the best winger in the country. Now I'd say he's miles out there on his own, at the moment at least. He's just so bloody effective, and his decision-making is coming along nicely.

Also, look at how easy he's finding it to switch wings now. He went to the left today and there was no discernible difference. He'll be a beast on the left for us too when Valencia returns. With the confidence he's built up I don't see it being a problem for him at all.
 
I wouldn't swap him for any wide player in the league. You can see how much he's been working on his left foot, cuts in and shoots an unbelievable amount more than he used to, and it's paying off.

He offers that flair and something different no one else we've got can do.
 
I knew he would go on to become a good player but I never thought he would be this good. The way he speeds past players, or beats them with skill is astonishing. I hope he reaches the 15 goal mark this season and works on that for next season.
 
One of the finest wingers world wide on current form. Heard today that out of the last 20 games he played, he had 19 goals and assists together. Which is an incredible stat
 
He went on a run just before the Rooney goal, in which he want two-three city players with amazing ease, that would've been a special goal if he managed to shoot right.

He has become an amazing player, easily the best winger in premiership and perhaps the world(excluding the two freaks i.e Ronaldo and Messi)
 
Great to see Nani getting praise in MOTD (Clip in the video thread). He's actually managed to make people genuinely doubt whether he's left or right footed. His two-footedness is what makes him so lethal, as the defenders have no idea which way he's going to go.

Will be interesting to see if he can keep up that unpredictability when he moves to the left regularly. I have a suspicion he's going to find it slightly more difficult to cut inside, as defenders will be suspecting that from a right footed player on the left, just like how they often get caught out on the right, because they think he'll go to the byline most of the time.

Then again, it shouldn't change much, seeing how effortless he's finding it going both ways at the moment while on the right. Brilliant player.
 
Top said:
Great to see Nani getting praise in MOTD (Clip in the video thread). He's actually managed to make people genuinely doubt whether he's left or right footed. His two-footedness is what makes him so lethal, as the defenders have no idea which way he's going to go.

Will be interesting to see if he can keep up that unpredictability when he moves to the left regularly. I have a suspicion he's going to find it slightly more difficult to cut inside, as defenders will be suspecting that from a right footed player on the left, just like how they often get caught out on the right, because they think he'll go to the byline most of the time.

Then again, it shouldn't change much, seeing how effortless he's finding it going both ways at the moment while on the right. Brilliant player.
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Was going to say the same. His two-footedness gives him advantages over players like Nasri and Bale. The great thing about Nani is that there is clear room for improvement about his decision making. If he adds more intelligence to his game he will be the best player in the EPL. And he has been arguably the best player this season.
 
I've a theory on Nani's two feet - he trusts his right foot more at generating curl and precision whereas he trusts his left foot more for power and a straighter trajectory. Which would possibly be a reason why he prefers the right (along with the natural tendency to trust your favoured side while dribbling, especially on the outside and using pure pace to push past a player, as well as the number of options he has to choose from when coming inside) as it benefits his crossing game and doesn't really hinder his striking.

Definitely seems like he's got two distinct striking techniques in general.

I'm probably talking nonsense though, and it's swayed by recent examples.
 
Brwned said:
I've a theory on Nani's two feet - he trusts his right foot more at generating curl and precision whereas he trusts his left foot more for power and a straighter trajectory. Which would possibly be a reason why he prefers the right (along with the natural tendency to trust your favoured side while dribbling, especially on the outside and using pure pace to push past a player, as well as the number of options he has to choose from when coming inside) as it benefits his crossing game and doesn't really hinder his striking.

Definitely seems like he's got two distinct striking techniques in general.

I'm probably talking nonsense though, and it's swayed by recent examples.
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I don't know about your theory but I do know that he will stay after practice this week and work on his shooting and on keeping the ball down. He seems to be the type to work on his stuff if it's not working and that would seem the case after 5 or 6 shots of his yesterday were blasted over the bar.
 
Brwned said:
I've a theory on Nani's two feet - he trusts his right foot more at generating curl and precision whereas he trusts his left foot more for power and a straighter trajectory. Which would possibly be a reason why he prefers the right (along with the natural tendency to trust your favoured side while dribbling, especially on the outside and using pure pace to push past a player, as well as the number of options he has to choose from when coming inside) as it benefits his crossing game and doesn't really hinder his striking.

Definitely seems like he's got two distinct striking techniques in general.

I'm probably talking nonsense though, and it's swayed by recent examples.
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The real question is, what do we do with Valencia, since he can't play on the left wing and Nani is obviously better on the right

Edit: Yep. Nani has different techniques when using his left or right foot. Over time, he'll become better with his left, maybe even dribble with it. However, His shooting with his left is not b=nearly as good as his right, which he takes penalties and free kicks with
 
He scored more with his left foot this year despite that, and they have been some very nice efforts many from outside the box.
 
CentreForward said:
The real question is, what do we do with Valencia, since he can't play on the left wing and Nani is obviously better on the right

Edit: Yep. Nani has different techniques when using his left or right foot. Over time, he'll become better with his left, maybe even dribble with it. However, His shooting with his left is not b=nearly as good as his right, which he takes penalties and free kicks with
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Valencia needs to add variety to his game if he wishes to thrive on the wing for us, seeing Giggs out there against City has reminded me just how much two wingers who can go either way adds to our tactical plan.

Tbh, seeing his performances for Ecuador, he'd be a good fit in the central "Park role", as he has intelligent running and a good short passing game. He'd be an absoloute beast in the big games against Chelsea, for instance...
 
Alex said:
He scored more with his left foot this year despite that, and they have been some very nice efforts many from outside the box.
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Yes I know, but after missing quite a few chances yesterday, I am sure that he will be spending extra time in practice with them this week.
 
CentreForward said:
The real question is, what do we do with Valencia, since he can't play on the left wing and Nani is obviously better on the right

Edit: Yep. Nani has different techniques when using his left or right foot. Over time, he'll become better with his left, maybe even dribble with it. However, His shooting with his left is not b=nearly as good as his right, which he takes penalties and free kicks with
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It's a boring question, we'll find out when we find out. I think Nani will just be moved to the left (if not to further his own progression then just to benefit the team) and Valencia will come right back in, with Giggs rotating with either. But I've not a clue and everyone's went over it numerous times with no real consensus gathered, so let's just wait and see.

I don't agree his shooting is much worse with his left though, and I don't think the fact he takes set pieces with his right is conclusive evidence of that - striking a free kick with your in-step is the most common and simple way of taking a free kick and as said Nani may find that easier on his right, and he hits a penalty with his in-step too (again common, bordering on necessary).

Striking a moving ball's just a completely different technique to a dead ball anyway.
 
rotherham_red said:
Valencia needs to add variety to his game if he wishes to thrive on the wing for us, seeing Giggs out there against City has reminded me just how much two wingers who can go either way adds to our tactical plan.
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I agree, the Nani/Giggs combo has been a joy to watch in the last few weeks.
 
Brwned said:
It's a boring question, we'll find out when we find out. I think Nani will just be moved to the left (if not to further his own progression then just to benefit the team) and Valencia will come right back in, with Giggs rotating with either. But I've not a clue and everyone's went over it numerous times with no real consensus gathered, so let's just wait and see.
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ok.
I don't agree his shooting is much worse with his left though, and I don't think the fact he takes set pieces with his right is conclusive evidence of that - striking a free kick with your in-step is the most common and simple way of taking a free kick and as said Nani may find that easier on his right, and he hits a penalty with his in-step too (again common, bordering on necessary).
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It is an evidence of exactly that. He scores so many with his left, because he is confident enough to cut in and shoot from the right wing. But that is all. Confident and good enough. His right is his better foot
Striking a moving ball's just a completely different technique to a dead ball anyway
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So?
 
His crossing is definitely stronger on his right foot...but although his all round game is higher than Valencia's (it is), is his right foot crossing better than Valencia's right foot crossing? Before this season I would say emphatically not, however some of his crosses recently have been amazing. But then lest we forget the sheer consistency of Valencia's laser-precision crosses.

I think Fergie will move Nani onto the left when Valencia returns in order to ascertain whether or not he can now do on the left what he can on the right. If Nani can't do that, then it'll get really interesting, because after Nani's performances on the right this season there will be no more talk of him 'not being good enough', or 'get rid of him', instead it'll be a case of - they're both right-wingers but one of them is so talented that he can excel on the right and get by on the left.

If that's what happens it'll provide a real conundrum involving monetary issues, logic, and football morals...

1. If we can get by with Nani on the left, can we justify spending money on a naturally left sided player?

2. Should each player be played in their strongest position? Particularly if said player has just been your Player of the Season in said position...

3. Is it fair to keep a player only to play them in a position they are weaker in than another?

Then again, he may well take the abundance of confidence he has clearly gathered from his time on the right and take the left flank by storm.

I certainly think the degree of our spending in the Summer will be heavily effected by how Valencia's return pans out.
 
You want to go with subtelty with your main foot and with your wrong foot your main concern is getting power and general direction. When you cross the ball you need to be precise and often smashing it as hard as you can isnt going to set up a good chance for your team mate. So Nani tries to chip it or stand up the cross with his left foot and that is pretty much the best it gets for the defending team in terms of what Nani could be doing :

Crossing the ball from the right with his right foot
Coming inside from the right and shooting left foot
Coming inside from the left and shooting right foot
Crossing the ball from the left with his left foot

If you're a fullback you'd pick the last one 100/100

Now of course our left wing is slightly different because Evra is enouraged to get forward so much. But to use him our left winger has to use good short passing. Not Nani's strength although he can do it, again you'd much prefer he's doing this with the ball instead of doing one of the top three. And when he gets it right and Evra is in, he's not going to hurt you as much either.
 
CentreForward said:
ok.

It is an evidence of exactly that. He scores so many with his left, because he is confident enough to cut in and shoot from the right wing. But that is all. Confident and good enough. His right is his better foot


So?
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It's not a debate if you're just telling me I'm wrong (and giving very little reasoning or evidence).
 
redwhiteblack said:
His crossing is definitely stronger on his right foot...but although his all round game is higher than Valencia's (it is), is his right foot crossing better than Valencia's right foot crossing? Before this season I would say emphatically not, however some of his crosses recently have been amazing. But then lest we forget the sheer consistency of Valencia's laser-precision crosses.

I think Fergie will move Nani onto the left when Valencia returns in order to ascertain whether or not he can now do on the left what he can on the right. If Nani can't do that, then it'll get really interesting, because after Nani's performances on the right this season there will be no more talk of him 'not being good enough', or 'get rid of him', instead it'll be a case of - they're both right-wingers but one of them is so talented that he can excel on the right and get by on the left.

If that's what happens it'll provide a real conundrum involving monetary issues, logic, and football morals...

1. If we can get by with Nani on the left, can we justify spending money on a naturally left sided player?

2. Should each player be played in their strongest position? Particularly if said player has just been your Player of the Season in said position...

3. Is it fair to keep a player only to play them in a position they are weaker in than another?

Then again, he may well take the abundance of confidence he has clearly gathered from his time on the right and take the left flank by storm.

I certainly think the degree of our spending in the Summer will be heavily effected by how Valencia's return pans out.
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1. I think SAF will buy a left footed winger after Giggs calls it quits
2. Yes. But SAF like to shuffle players. Say Berba in the hole or uptop. Rooney in the hole, uptop or on the wing. Nani left and right to name a few....and theres O'Shea :D
3. Fair? No. If needed - of course
 
Devil may care said:
Neil Custis says Man Utd still miss Cristiano Ronaldo to get you to the edge of your seat | The Sun |Sport|Football

The article isn't as it seems, it's actually about Nani's evolution into United's star player and entertainer, as well as Fergie's mentality towards flair players.
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That's a nice read. At the same time it's surprising, because he's been the standout performer in this league for a good while now, yet the praise he deserves hasn't been forthcoming. Wins and trophies are more important than praise, but it's still a shame that Nani doesn't get what he is due.
 
Brwned said:
It's not a debate if you're just telling me I'm wrong (and giving very little reasoning or evidence).
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I think i gave the only evidence there is. He takes the free kicks and penalties with his right foot. The only other thing would be to ask him....Dribbles with his right better too.
Nani, like Rooney or Ronaldo are very good with both feet, but are naturally right footed.

I did however notice how many he scored with his left this season, too. He obviously recognizes how important it is to improve on that and works hard on it. I think he's almost as good at shooting with his left as with his right, but only from certain range and position.
 
That is because he hasnt been the main man leading United to trophies, that will change if United win some hardware this year and already is changing.
 
CentreForward said:
I think i gave the only evidence there is. He takes the free kicks and penalties with his right foot. The only other thing would be to ask him....Dribbles with his right better too.
Nani, like Rooney or Ronaldo are very good with both feet, but are naturally right footed.
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Have we mixed up arguments? I wasn't suggesting Nani was left footed!
 
Brwned said:
Have we mixed up arguments? I wasn't suggesting Nani was left footed!
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Just re read your original post. I think you make a point that he prefers his left foot when striking with power and straight.
All I am saying is, that he does that out of necessity, and he's only good enough, well very good at that.
 
I dont think he prefers the left over the right at anything, its simply that he's playing on the right and the fullback plays a right footed player inside onto his "weaker" foot. Nani has clearly been practicing taking those chances.

Sometimes you dont do what you would prefer to do, you do what has a higher percentage of working and for Nani at the moment thats coming inside and getting a shot in
 
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