Luis Nani | 2010/11 Performances

[girish]

Starting to look complacent. He better not get all big headed.

 

[Allforone]

I think its fatigue, hes played almost every game this season and contributed more to the cause than any other player, remember when we had Valencia and Park missing for all those months it was Nani week after week who had to produce the goods, i think the fact hes been subbed the last 2 games is an indication hes feeling the pace a bit.

 

[Levi_Jm]

He has been pants since Valencia's return, except for that match after the PFA list was announced and he didn't make it. Fulham I believe?

 

[Devilton]

Is it me, or has he seemed even more selfish off late.

Almost everytime there is a pass on, Nani seemed to delay and look for a shooting chance himself. I know he's not scored in a while but it was definitely a case of glory for himself rather then the team in the last few games.

 

[RonaldoVII]

He has been pants since Valencia's return, except for that match after the PFA list was announced and he didn't make it. Fulham I believe?

Coincidence that he has switched flank? Of course not. He can be excellent on either wing, but is far more consistent on the right.

 

[Treble]

Looked a bit slow, with his decision making that is. He played a lot recently, started all games since Fulham. I expect Giggs and Park to start vs Schalke. Nani or Valencia will be rested for Arsenal.

 

[Rahul]

He wasn't that bad today. Would have scored if Hernandez wasn't in the way.

 

[Aaron]

Looked a bit slow, with his decision making that is. He played a lot recently, started all games since Fulham. I expect Giggs and Park to start vs Schalke. Nani or Valencia will be rested for Arsenal.

I don't think he was slow in his decision making at all. I think he had decided before he touched the ball on each occasion what his decision was going to be and that's not pass.

It did improve in the second half mind you, perhaps the manager had a word.

 

[Ole's_toe_poke]

He's been up and down since the injury.

Not impressed with his decision making today especially.

 

[Aaron]

He's been up and down since the injury.

Not impressed with his decision making today especially.

The worst one for me was when he got through and had Rooney and Hernandez in acres of space but for some reason just couldn't bring himself to pass the ball. It wasn't indecision, it was determination that he was going to be the one who had the chance, despite TWO team mates being in infinitely better positions and all the time in the world to find them.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Coincidence that he has switched flank? Of course not. He can be excellent on either wing, but is far more consistent on the right.

His worst performance of the lot was on the right, against Newcastle.

He's just going through a dip in form. It happens. There isn't always a reason.

 

[Ballache]

a dip in form, he has been immense this season though! am sure he'll be fine! the thing is with new and improved Nani is that even when he is not playing well, i still expect him to do something that changes the game.

 

[Reapersoul20]

I love the lad, but best winger in the country is pushing it. A lot. He hasn't been consistent enough to earn a title like that yet.

Definitely a good player who has had a tremendous season.

As a matter of interest, does anyone really see him rising to the heights of Ronaldo/Messi and becoming one of the best in the world ? I don't see it. Hope I'm wrong, mind you.

Would love us to play Madrid in the CL final and Nani completely outshine Ronaldo. Won't happen though.

 

[Lester Freamon]

I love the lad, but best winger in the country is pushing it. A lot. He hasn't been consistent enough to earn a title like that yet.

Definitely a good player who has had a tremendous season.

As a matter of interest, does anyone really see him rising to the heights of Ronaldo/Messi and becoming one of the best in the world ? I don't see it. Hope I'm wrong, mind you.

Would love us to play Madrid in the CL final and Nani completely outshine Ronaldo. Won't happen though.

Well, who is? You can't really expect anyone to reach the Ronaldo/Messi level because they are by far an away the two best players of their generation.

 

[jdmufc]

there is a distinct lack of good wingers about these days but nani is up there with the best of them that are playing just now.

 

[mariachi-19]

Don't really understand how people don't put him on the Ribbery, Robben level of wingers. They really are the only competition he has left from being the worlds best winger. This season i'd put him above both of them anyway!

 

[SharkyMcShark]

I love the lad, but best winger in the country is pushing it. A lot. He hasn't been consistent enough to earn a title like that yet.

Who in the country is a better winger?

The lad has 10 goals and 18 assists.

 

[ciderman9000000]

Jesus, he has one quiet game and suddenly calling him the best winger in the country is 'pushing it a lot'. I can't get my head around how damn right fecking thick some people are; absolutely thick as fecking pigshit.

Reapersoul, do you even watch football?

 

[puNANI]

Jesus, he has one quiet game and suddenly calling him the best winger in the country is 'pushing it a lot'. I can't get my head around how damn right fecking thick some people are; absolutely thick as fecking pigshit.

Reapersoul, do you even watch football?

And Anderson has a good game and everyone believes him again. I'm not taking a shot at Anderson by the way, but it's just bizarre. Nani is by far the best winger in the league, and if he isn't then Valencia is. Malouda has been shit this season, and theres not really any other wingers up their with Nani for creativity and productivity.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I love the lad, but best winger in the country is pushing it. A lot. He hasn't been consistent enough to earn a title like that yet.

Definitely a good player who has had a tremendous season.

As a matter of interest, does anyone really see him rising to the heights of Ronaldo/Messi and becoming one of the best in the world ? I don't see it. Hope I'm wrong, mind you.

Would love us to play Madrid in the CL final and Nani completely outshine Ronaldo. Won't happen though.

Firstly, name a better winger in the league than him?

Secondly, why is everyone obsessed with Messi and Ronaldo? There are other quality players in world football. Nani can be one of the worlds best without reaching their levels. Is Vidic not one of the worlds best?

Thirdly, why can Nani not outshine Ronaldo? He's a brilliant player who is probably harder to mark out of a game than Ronaldo because he is ATM a much better dribbler. I can very much see him outshining Ronaldo. Also because we have a defense capable of nullifying anyone.

 

[Aaron]

Well, who is? You can't really expect anyone to reach the Ronaldo/Messi level because they are by far an away the two best players of their generation.

I don't think anyone is saying that. For me, Nani would do better if he accepted his limitations and tried to work on areas of the game where, if he concentrates, he can be excellent. The player gets into some wonderful positions many, many times during a game. Yet he's most likely not to do anything with it whilst in those positions. He'll either over run the ball or take on one two many defenders than necessary and lose the ball.

I think he tries to be too much like Ronaldo. Everything from the way he thinks he doesn't need team mates in the final third, to his free kick technique. People have, rightly, said that it is unfair to compare the two, but Nani tries in almost every way to emulate his style so it is hard to not draw a comparison.

When it comes to cutting inside, I think Nani, naively, leaves that until too late. He'll cut inside from the starting position of nearest the corner flag. If he began his run with the ball more centrally or cut inside earlier, it'd be more effective. Instead he does the 'job' of taking on the left (or sometimes right) back but rather than playing the ball in once he's done that, he then, form a ridiculous angle, wants to drive into the box. Then when he's done that and if he hasn't lost the ball already, he then wants to centre himself in the area. It is far, far, far too much for him to do. It's far too much for most players to do. It isn't bad that he tries it. Would be great if every player gave it a go. But for Nani this is is usual. For every one cross into the area he makes, he has ten ventures into the area, like that, which often just end up squandering an opportunity by ignoring all other better options around him.

As I said, it is hard not to make the comparison with Ronaldo as Nani plays as if he thinks he is as good as Ronaldo. He doesn't seem interested in turning provider. I know people can quote the assist stats all day but I think sometimes they can be a tad misleading. A poor cross, a misplaced pass, a piece of individual talent by another player etc, all would count towards someones stats in that respect so I don't read much into them.

His first thought is 'Can I score?'

His second thought is 'If I can't score, can I hold the ball long enough to get into a position where I can score?'

His third thought is 'I probably won't score but if I beat the next two defenders I'll only have another two players left to take on before I can have a shot'

His last thought is 'This team mate is in a better position than I am, I'll pass the ball to him'

I know there are strong opinions on this but for all his individual deficiencies compared to Nani's skill and talent, Valencia is infinitely a much better option. He will not hesitate in laying something on a plate for others. If he's in a better position he'll take the keeper on, no question. But that isn't 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in his mind. He is far more aware of the play around him and he doesn't try to emulate anyone else.

If Nani concentrated on perfecting the areas of his game where he really can become one of the world's best and that is using his speed and his ability to get into fantastic positions, to deliver balls into the area to team mates that'd scare the shit out of the opposition, just imagine how invaluable he'd be.

As it is, he tries too hard to be the impossible superstar. Sometimes it works, most of the time it doesn't. And when it doesn't it looks even worse, especially when trying to do so, he becomes completely oblivious to his team mates.

You can tell as soon as Nani gets the ball 99% of the time, how the movement will conclude. Team mates may as well turn around and slowly walk back to the half way line knowing that what'll happen is either a goal, a goal kick or possession conceded. If he varied his play and stopped looking for the spectacular all the time, he'd become a more valuable asset and probably would keep Valencia on the bench for the big matches where the boss prefers other, more defensive options, on the left.

 

[Reapersoul20]

Jesus, he has one quiet game and suddenly calling him the best winger in the country is 'pushing it a lot'. I can't get my head around how damn right fecking thick some people are; absolutely thick as fecking pigshit.

Reapersoul, do you even watch football?

feck off Ciderman, my analysis isn't based on on fecking game - not everyone forms an opinion at the drop of a hat and immediately goes and posts their every fecking living thought on redcafe.

I have a firm belief that Nani has been very highly overrated by a lot of the United support. Yes, he's had a good season, undoubtedly true, but a few people here seem to think he is the second coming of Jesus. I think he is a very good player who has problems with consistency that don't seem to be going away, has an often dodgy cross and more often makes the wrong decision in the box - these are all fair enough opinions of him, and just because you can't get your head around this doesn't entitle you to have a go at me for sharing my opinion you cretin.

 

[Aaron]

Perhaps I'm biased but people who are criticial of elements of Nani's game, seem to me to be taking a long-term overview approach to the analysis. Whereas people who suddenly think he's the black Pele, do so more enthusiastically after he scores a goal.

 

[Reapersoul20]

Firstly, name a better winger in the league than him?

Secondly, why is everyone obsessed with Messi and Ronaldo? There are other quality players in world football. Nani can be one of the worlds best without reaching their levels. Is Vidic not one of the worlds best?

Thirdly, why can Nani not outshine Ronaldo? He's a brilliant player who is probably harder to mark out of a game than Ronaldo because he is ATM a much better dribbler. I can very much see him outshining Ronaldo. Also because we have a defense capable of nullifying anyone.

To be honest, it's arguable that he is the best, I just find it bemusing how people on the caf seem entirely convinced that he is the best winger in the league, and nothing more can be said about it. Especially when a while ago, he was mentioned by one person in this thread. That's two season ago, and he didn't really play in the season before this. So basically, after one decent season we're meant to just give up and accept he is unquestionably the best, and there is nothing more about it. Bollocks. I won't mention names of who I think has been better on here because people on the United forum have their red tinted specs on for this topic and I'd rather not cause an aneurysm - however I will admit he probably has had the best season of the lot. It doesn't make him the best player of the lot though.

For your second point, because Ronaldo and Messi are the best. I get what you're saying alright, but to be honest I was just wondering if anyone on the caf genuinely believed he would become one of the best in the world.

For the third, he could, but Ronaldo has more experience, is a significantly better player and I think has the temperament and consistency to make it far more likely he would outshine Nani on the day. Again, hope I am wrong, but I don't see it.

 

[Reapersoul20]

Perhaps I'm biased but people who are criticial of elements of Nani's game, seem to me to be taking a long-term overview approach to the analysis. Whereas people who suddenly think he's the black Pele, do so more enthusiastically after he scores a goal.

Exactly.

 

[Top]

Perhaps I'm biased but people who are criticial of elements of Nani's game, seem to me to be taking a long-term overview approach to the analysis. Whereas people who suddenly think he's the black Pele, do so more enthusiastically after he scores a goal.

Considering Nani has been excellent for over a year now then your dislike of Nani probably is clouding your judgement, yes.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Perhaps I'm biased but people who are criticial of elements of Nani's game, seem to me to be taking a long-term overview approach to the analysis. Whereas people who suddenly think he's the black Pele, do so more enthusiastically after he scores a goal.

That doesn't make any sense. You can be critical of elements of someone's game and still think brilliant and our best attacker. Given that he's been great for since Jan 2010 now, it's a bit odd to put those who rate him highly into the 'knee jerk' category.

 

[Top]

To be honest, it's arguable that he is the best, I just find it bemusing how people on the caf seem entirely convinced that he is the best winger in the league, and nothing more can be said about it. Especially when a while ago, he was mentioned by one person in this thread. That's two season ago, and he didn't really play in the season before this. So basically, after one decent season we're meant to just give up and accept he is unquestionably the best, and there is nothing more about it. Bollocks. I won't mention names of who I think has been better on here because people on the United forum have their red tinted specs on for this topic and I'd rather not cause an aneurysm - however I will admit he probably has had the best season of the lot. It doesn't make him the best player of the lot though.

You say he's not the best winger in the league and then refuse to say who you think is better? That's such a weak cop out it's unreal.

 

[Chabon]

Nani lacks Malouda's highly refined ability to smash in a late goal whilst his side are hammering relegation fodder at home, and is therefore clearly inferior.

 

[Aaron]

Considering Nani has been excellent for over a year now then your dislike of Nani probably is clouding your judgement, yes.

He hasn't been excellent for over a year. He's been better, in patches, this season than he was last. He started barely half our league games the season before and not even half of that the season before.

Is he more influential this season when he's started the majority of our games than he was when he wasn't playing that often? Of course.

Is that saying much? Not really.

Look, he has improved a lot and still has a lot of potential. But he is not playing half as well as someone with his ability should be. Poor decisions, selfishness and inability or unwillingness to read the game or look beyond his two feet, are hindering him in that respect. In my opinion of course, but that's how I feel.

He doesn't suddenly become a better player than what he is if he scores or does he become a worse player than he is if he doesn't play well for a few games.

 

[Jacob]

For me, Valencia and Nani are the best in the league, along with Bale and nobody else. However, I'm not even sure Nani is the best winger at our club, Valencia is my type of player.

 

[Reapersoul20]

You say he's not the best winger in the league and then refuse to say who you think is better? That's such a weak cop out it's unreal.

Valencia, Park is criminally underrated here, Malouda when he finds form again, Silva, perhaps Bale(time will tell), Arshavin was better last season and shit this season but might end up better, Young.

Actually naming who I think is better isn't really a huge part of my argument though, mostly what I am saying is that one good season doesn't make you the best winger in the country. Plenty of players have had one very good season and then faded to grey - Berger, Sutton, Guppy, Asprilla, Cadamarteri and Bridge to name just a few.

 

[Aaron]

Oh Valencia is far better at being a 'winger' than Nani is as he's less selfish. He doesn't really have the ability to cut inside and score a goal, but that isn't really what a 'winger' is supposed to do, if we're being picky about it.

 

[Top]

He hasn't been excellent for over a year.

Perhaps I'm biased

Confirmed.

He's been excellent since January 2010, probably our best player along with Vidic.

 

[Aaron]

Confirmed.

At least I'm honest in my opinion and accept my own objectivity rather than those who present their views as statements as fact e.g "he's been excellent for over a year"

 

[Aaron]

In any event, you wonder what the point of it is.

If he scores Tuesday or whenever suddenly that'll again, like all goals ever scored by any player ever, completely negate and discredit all criticism of anyone ever.

 

[Aaron]

For me, Valencia and Nani are the best in the league, along with Bale and nobody else. However, I'm not even sure Nani is the best winger at our club, Valencia is my type of player.

The key thing is going forward, and taking into account what happened before Valencia's injury, is how many times in the big games, when both fit, in league and Europe, will Nani be picked over Valencia on the right hand side.

I've said it before and I'm happy to repeat it. I think that whilst Nani will get games on the right to cover Valencia if not match fit or in need of a rest, the majority of our big games will see Nani benched in favour of either Giggs or Park on the left whilst Valencia remains the fixture on the right.

I didn't expect Nani to play away at Chelsea in the CL, I don't expect him to start Tuesday and I don't expect him to start vs Arsenal either.

 

[puNANI]

The key thing is going forward, and taking into account what happened before Valencia's injury, is how many times in the big games, when both fit, in league and Europe, will Nani be picked over Valencia on the right hand side.

I've said it before and I'm happy to repeat it. I think that whilst Nani will get games on the right to cover Valencia if not match fit or in need of a rest, the majority of our big games will see Nani benched in favour of either Giggs or Park on the left whilst Valencia remains the fixture on the right.

I didn't expect Nani to play away at Chelsea in the CL, I don't expect him to start Tuesday and I don't expect him to start vs Arsenal either.

Valencia will only be a permanent fixture on the right because he is more one dimensional, whilst Nani can play on both wings. If Nani is sacrificed though, it's not because he isn't the best winger, it's cause it will leave us exposed at the back. He does track back, but Park and Giggs are better at it.

 

[Aaron]

Valencia will only be a permanent fixture on the right because he is more one dimensional, whilst Nani can play on both wings. If Nani is sacrificed though, it's not because he isn't the best winger, it's cause it will leave us exposed at the back. He does track back, but Park and Giggs are better at it.

Not really. Valencia isn't bi-footed (if thats the term) but if Nani was as crucial and as important a player as suggested, surely he'd start ahead of him and have Nani on the right and Park on the left.

Valencia's inability to play on the left has nothing to do with it. If Ferguson thought Nani was a better player and offered more than Valencia, he'd be starting the big games on the right and Valencia would be on the bench.

I could be wrong going forward but I suspect in the big away games and big european games, Nani will not start.

 

[Top]

At least I'm honest in my opinion and accept my own objectivity rather than those who present their views as statements as fact e.g "he's been excellent for over a year"

Fine, let's say we're both biased then (Personally I prefer positive bias rather than negative bias when it comes to United players) and look at how the people of RedCafe have rated each of his performances since Janaury 2010:

Matchlog

[B][U]Date 	Oppo 		Cup 	Result 	Goal 	Assist 	MOTM[/U][/B] 			
23/04 	H-Everton 	PL 	W 1-0 	0	0	No votes			
19/04 	A-Newcastle 	PL 	D 0-0 	0	0	No votes			
16/04 	N-Man City 	FAC 	L 1-0 	0	0	4th			
12/04 	H-Chelsea 	CL 	W 2-1 	0	0	7th			
09/04 	H-Fulham 	PL 	W 2-0 	0	2	1st			
06/04 	A-Chelsea 	CL 	W 0-1 	0	0	No votes			
19/03 	H-Bolton 	PL 	W 1-0 	0	1	2nd			
15/03 	H-Marseille 	CL 	W 2-1 	0	0	No votes			
06/03 	A-Liverpool 	PL 	L 3-1 	0	0	No votes			
01/03 	A-Chelsea 	PL 	L 2-1 	0	1	8th			
26/02 	A-Wigan		PL 	W 0-4 	0	1	4th			
23/02 	A-Marseille 	CL 	D 0-0 	0	0	3rd			
12/02 	H-Man City 	PL 	W 2-1 	1	1	1st			
05/02 	A-Wolves 	PL 	L 2-1 	1	0	1st			
01/02 	H-Aston Villa 	PL 	W 3-1 	0	1	2nd			
29/01 	A-Southampton 	FAC 	W 1-2 	0	0	6th			
25/01 	A-Blackpool 	PL 	W 2-3 	0	0	5th			
22/01 	H-Birmingham	PL 	W 5-0 	1	0	No votes			
16/01 	A-Tottenham 	PL 	D 0-0 	0	0	No votes			
09/01 	H-Liverpool 	FAC 	W 1-0 	0	0	No votes			
04/01 	H-Stoke City 	PL 	W 2-1 	1	1	1st			
13/12 	H-Arsenal 	PL 	W 1-0 	0	1	7th			
07/12 	H-Valencia 	CL 	D 1-1 	0	0	No votes			
27/11 	H-Blackburn 	PL 	W 7-1 	1	1	2nd			
24/11 	A-Rangers 	CL 	W 0-1 	0	0	5th			
20/11 	H-Wigan		PL 	W 2-0 	0	0	9th			
13/11 	A-Aston Villa 	PL 	D 2-2 	0	1	7th			
10/11 	A-Man City 	PL 	D 0-0 	0	0	No votes			
02/11 	A-Bursaspor 	CL 	W 0-3 	0	0	No votes			
30/10 	H-Tottenham 	PL 	W 2-0 	1	1	1st			
24/10 	A-Stoke City 	PL 	W 1-2 	0	0	6th			
20/10 	H-Bursaspor 	CL 	W 1-0 	1	0	2nd			
16/10 	H-WBA 		PL 	D 2-2 	1	1	1st			
02/10 	A-Sunderland 	PL 	D 0-0 	0	0	5th			
29/09 	A-Valencia 	CL 	W 0-1 	0	0	3rd			
26/09 	A-Bolton 	PL 	D 2-2 	1	1	1st			
19/09 	H-Liverpool 	PL 	W 3-2 	0	1	2nd			
11/09 	A-Everton 	PL 	D 3-3 	0	1	2nd			
28/08 	H-West Ham 	PL 	W 3-0 	1	1	3rd			
22/08 	A-Fulham 	PL 	D 2-2 	0	1	6th			
16/08 	H-Newcastle 	PL 	W 3-0 	0	0	3rd			
08/08 	N-Chelsea 	CS 	W 1-3 	0	1	No votes			
09/05 	H-Stoke City 	PL 	W 4-0 	0	0	1st			
02/05 	A-Sunderland 	PL 	W 0-1 	1	0	2nd			
24/04 	H-Tottenham 	PL 	W 3-1 	1	1	1st			
17/04 	A-Man City 	PL 	W 0-1 	0	0	No votes			
11/04 	A-Blackburn 	PL 	D 0-0 	0	0	6th			
07/04 	H-B Munchen 	CL 	W 3-2 	2	0	1st			
03/04 	H-Chelsea 	PL 	L 1-2 	0	1	4th			
30/03 	A-B Munchen 	CL 	L 2-1 	0	1	2nd			
27/03 	A-Bolton 	PL 	W 0-4 	0	2	2nd			
21/03 	H-Liverpool 	PL 	W 2-1 	0	0	No votes			
14/03 	H-Fulham 	PL 	W 3-0 	0	1	3rd			
10/03 	H-Milan 	CL 	W 4-0 	0	1	4th			
06/03 	A-Wolves 	PL 	W 0-1 	0	1	7th			
16/02 	A-Milan 	CL 	W 2-3 	0	0	9th			
10/02 	A-Aston Villa 	PL 	D 1-1 	0	0	No votes			
06/02 	H-Portsmouth 	PL 	W 5-0 	0	1	2nd			
31/01 	A-Arsenal 	PL 	W 1-3 	0	1	2nd			
27/01 	H-Man City 	CC 	W 3-1 	0	0	3rd			
23/01 	H-Hull City 	PL 	W 4-0 	0	2	2nd			
16/01 	H-Burnley 	PL 	W 3-0 	0	0	3rd

Overall

[B][U]Matches	Goal 	Assist 	Top 3	[/U][/B]					
63	14	31	29

Being among our best 3 players on the pitch and assisting a goal in 1 out of 2 matches is pretty excellent in my eyes.