Yeah couple of United fans I know have a blind hatred of him, god knows why but they seem to think we are selling that "shitebag" Nani this summer. No reasoning with some people, like the same lot who wrote off De Gea after one game.
Luis Nani | 2011/12 Performances
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Yeah couple of United fans I know have a blind hatred of him, god knows why but they seem to think we are selling that "shitebag" Nani this summer. No reasoning with some people, like the same lot who wrote off De Gea after one game.
Swear there was a gem of a stat at the start of the season where Nani had more goals and assists than Ronaldo in his first 100 games here, think it was after the Chelsea game at OT.
Nani is just as effective on either side of the pitch. He crosses better from the right but he creates more goalscoring opportunities for himself from the left; either way, United get about the same volume of end-product from him whichever side he's on. His interplay with the fullback is always key; when Evra is on form (was on form) there's no better player to link up with Nani; on the right hand side Nani links up excellently with Rafael, well with Smalling, but not so much so with Jones; this is why Jones shouldn't be played as RB behind Nani.
Nani's reliance on a fullback who understands him is so much more exaggerated than that of a more direct winger such as Valencia, because, unlike the latter, Nani plays much of his possession game standing still. Valencia beats his man with raw pace and power, he'll often sprint so far ahead of play that his compatriot fullback's role will become more or less redundant as an attacking option, this is what works for Valencia and he does it to great effect. Nani though relies on his fullback much more in order to work his way up the pitch, interchanging positions, overlapping, stalling and knocking balls to one another in an effort to find the correct opening with space to run into at the right moment. Nani will often stop the ball dead and lock his opposing defender in place such as that the defender won't be able to make a challenge due to Nani's much quicker feet; it's at moments like this that Nani's teammate best comes into play, either offering support so that Nani can give the ball make a run, or else making the overlapping run himself so Nani can then play the through-ball. This is something both Evra and Rafael excel at, but something Phil Jones doesn't do very well. Compare such interplay in a dead-stop situation with Valencia's game and you'll see that the Ecuadorian uses the fullback far less frequently; his acceleration is much better than Nani's and so he's much more likely to attempt to beat the defender on his own accord.
Either side then, left or right, Nani can be just as effective, which grants the manager the luxury through this versatility of being able to just fit him in where and when he's most needed. The form of Ashley Young, Valencia and Evra and the fitness of Rafael and Smalling will all come into play when deciding which side of the pitch, if any, to position Nani. If Evra is going through a bad patch and only Jones is available at RB then Nani probably won't play, this because Ashley Young can better play ahead of an underperforming Evra than can Nani, whilst Valencia can be just as effective ahead of Jones as he'd likely be with either Smalling or Rafael.
Nani's reliance on a fullback who understands him is so much more exaggerated than that of a more direct winger such as Valencia, because, unlike the latter, Nani plays much of his possession game standing still. Valencia beats his man with raw pace and power, he'll often sprint so far ahead of play that his compatriot fullback's role will become more or less redundant as an attacking option, this is what works for Valencia and he does it to great effect. Nani though relies on his fullback much more in order to work his way up the pitch, interchanging positions, overlapping, stalling and knocking balls to one another in an effort to find the correct opening with space to run into at the right moment. Nani will often stop the ball dead and lock his opposing defender in place such as that the defender won't be able to make a challenge due to Nani's much quicker feet; it's at moments like this that Nani's teammate best comes into play, either offering support so that Nani can give the ball make a run, or else making the overlapping run himself so Nani can then play the through-ball. This is something both Evra and Rafael excel at, but something Phil Jones doesn't do very well. Compare such interplay in a dead-stop situation with Valencia's game and you'll see that the Ecuadorian uses the fullback far less frequently; his acceleration is much better than Nani's and so he's much more likely to attempt to beat the defender on his own accord.
Either side then, left or right, Nani can be just as effective, which grants the manager the luxury through this versatility of being able to just fit him in where and when he's most needed. The form of Ashley Young, Valencia and Evra and the fitness of Rafael and Smalling will all come into play when deciding which side of the pitch, if any, to position Nani. If Evra is going through a bad patch and only Jones is available at RB then Nani probably won't play, this because Ashley Young can better play ahead of an underperforming Evra than can Nani, whilst Valencia can be just as effective ahead of Jones as he'd likely be with either Smalling or Rafael.
Great post, particularly regarding Nani's use of the full backs and the fact that his form is often tied to that of the full back, rather than which side of the pitch he is playing on.
I have to say the reason that I (slightly) prefer him on the right is that his shots seem a lot more controlled coming in from the right with his left foot (which sounds bizarre). He seems to thrash at it a little with his right foot (probably paradoxically due to being more/overly confident).
Fair enough. I could be wrong, but I believe there's probable cause for saying he's a better player on the right because, over the last two years, he's tended to drift into relative ineffectiveness once he's moved to the left for a sustained period. And that's just really because a winger's primary job at United is to provide good service into the box, which Nani seems to fail to do effectively on the left. He plays very well there, can be excellent, but over a long run of games, he seems to become ineffective.
But let's just agree to disagree and wait to see what happens with him. He's been getting more of a free role anyway and he looks very good there, maybe that's his long-term position and not the wings.
Nani is class.
I wouldn't bother if I were you. If someone can't see how good Nani is then it's because they don't want to. All the stats in the world won't change their mind.
Have you considered they just might be p* p* at assessing footballers generally.
But do they know that Nani got 18 goals and assists in 24 starts last season. That was in a campaign that was disrupted by injury!
I forsee a big couple of years for our Nanners.
'Cutting a LOAN figure.'
Stopped reading there to be honest.
Stopped reading there to be honest.
Probably bollocks. I hope so at least. I can't even begin to describe the level of madness it would be if we were to be slack in securing Nani's future here.
Yup saw that and then the 25m figure which isn't even true.
I'm hoping it's bollocks.If the club are refusing to give him more money, it could be a part of the Glazers' Bucs strategy seeping in. They pay one marquee player(Rooney) a huge amount while cutting costs on other less experienced players. Rio and Rooney are the only two players we have who are making a ton(unless Young is making that supposed £120k/w
). Obviously we won't be paying players "city wages" but Nani deserves a raise.Hoping?
I am sure is bollocks mate.
Nani is potentially one of our best players in future if not the best(also has been before) and SAF knows that.
If we sell Nani, we need a new world class winger
I am sure is bollocks mate.
Nani is potentially one of our best players in future if not the best(also has been before) and SAF knows that.
If we sell Nani, we need a new world class winger
Just rumours, happens every year. With Nani it's always polemic.
Nani is world class, genuinely wouldn't sell him, don't think there's anyone better in the PL as a winger
Would be ridiculous to let a player of his ability leave, hope there isn't any truth to this.
Ohhh two plus two equals fifty. Thanks Mirror
A couple more details than I'd expect from such an example of tabloid crap ("Nani has reduced his demands twice in a bid to broker an agreement") - agent leaked then? Did we not pay Mendes enough for Bebe?
He arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon in a £25million deal in 2007 and United would make a healthy profit on any sale.
Anyway.. Mirror are nowhere near reliable.
Anyway.. Mirror are nowhere near reliable.
"Now the 25-year-old is starting to feel that perhaps United are getting ready to cash in on him while his value is at its highest."
Is the logic in that sentence escaping anyone else besides me? Surely if we wanted to cash in we'd get him on a new contract and not let him get into the dreaded 2-years-remaining territory?
Is the logic in that sentence escaping anyone else besides me? Surely if we wanted to cash in we'd get him on a new contract and not let him get into the dreaded 2-years-remaining territory?
Why do Nani rumours pop up every summer?
Everyone loves a good dribbler, he's a non-English player on an English team, we don't have many other attacking players that would make a good headline as no one would believe Rooney wants to leave again.
I'd expect that as soon as Portugal are out of the Euro's he'll sign the contract. As usual with the Mirror there's no quotes from anywhere so I think we can all safely say it's bollocks!
Nani isn't going anywhere, he's practically the main talisman for our attack these days (OK its probably Rooney, but there's no chance we're selling the best winger in the PL).
It's piss poor journalism. The standard stuff nowadays.
He may be a bit of a pussy on the pitch at times or at least look like one. It's misguiding, the guy is hard-worker and got some balls on him. Apart from that, he seems to be happy here and is a fantastic player. Genuinely fantastic. No way are we selling him, what would be the reasons?
Modern football, modern journalism...
Modern football, modern journalism...
There comes a point where discussing shit journalism actually serves to reinforce why it exists.
This, no longer does it provide you with quality insight, but spur fans into discussion for its controversial content. Sad.
Im not convinced it is as cut and dried as some of you lot make it sound. Yes he is a top player, but we did buy Young when we had no need of him really.
We also don't know how much he is asking for. The Glazers may be reluctant to give another player Rooney like wages. Especially one who doesn't play anywhere near as regularly as Rooney.
Could SAF be in a position where he may have to sell big before he can buy big? No-one seems interested in Berba or Park yet, so if (hypothetically of course) he wanted Modric/ Martinez or Bale, where else would he get £30-40m quid from? We are hardly stacked with players who could command such a large fee, and for Nani maybe even more.
I am not suggesting anything will happen, but i was surprised by how peripheral Nani seemed last year. Yes he was injured for a while, but so was Valencia. While so many were begging for the return of Valencia and when he came back he was fantastic. Not really the same can be said for Nani.
I just have a nagging doubt that things may not be quite as straightforward regarding Nani. His quality is unquestionable, but he doesn't seem a guaranteed first choice anymore, he also wants a huge wage, and SAF may just decide now is the best time to cash in, possibly to strengthen areas of the team where we are not as well stocked.
We also don't know how much he is asking for. The Glazers may be reluctant to give another player Rooney like wages. Especially one who doesn't play anywhere near as regularly as Rooney.
Could SAF be in a position where he may have to sell big before he can buy big? No-one seems interested in Berba or Park yet, so if (hypothetically of course) he wanted Modric/ Martinez or Bale, where else would he get £30-40m quid from? We are hardly stacked with players who could command such a large fee, and for Nani maybe even more.
I am not suggesting anything will happen, but i was surprised by how peripheral Nani seemed last year. Yes he was injured for a while, but so was Valencia. While so many were begging for the return of Valencia and when he came back he was fantastic. Not really the same can be said for Nani.
I just have a nagging doubt that things may not be quite as straightforward regarding Nani. His quality is unquestionable, but he doesn't seem a guaranteed first choice anymore, he also wants a huge wage, and SAF may just decide now is the best time to cash in, possibly to strengthen areas of the team where we are not as well stocked.
Until he gets a new contract there will be rumours.
Nani is at the tournament, so wont currently be in negotiations will he? Don't know why anyone pays the slightest attention to these stories. Once the euros is over isnwhen things will start happening. Right now, these rags will write anything to fill space in the back pages.
It's not just this one story mate, there have been murmurings for a while that all may not be rosy regarding Nani. It may be his wage demands, it may be that he is not playing as regularly as he would like. Or it could all be bollocks as you and many others suggest.
Im just not convinced it is all bollocks. Who would have seen the logic of playing Berba when he was crap for 2 seasons, then after his best ever season freezing him out? I still cannot get my head around that one, so like i said i will not be counting my chickens too soon.
Yeah but this is just a re-hash of those earlier murmerings. Nothing new at all. Nani is hardly likely to be talking to the press about his contract situation right now is he? I'm not even thinking about this stuff until after the relevant teams are out of the euros.
Valencia was fecking brilliant last season and was better but surely Nani is more talented and easily a potential better player than Valencia.
No arguments from me there, my post wasn't meant to play the merits of one off against another. It was only meant to point out that it may not be as rosy as it seems for Nani. Or that his contract situation is an illusion created by the media.
Yes they do print a load of bollocks, but that doesn't mean to say he will just sign after the tournament. He may, he may not, we will soon see.
like their was about vidic and his wife....IF we wanted rid, we'd probably have anyone or two lined up but I doubt we're looking to sell. That would be stupid. I was under the impression we dealt with contracts with a year to go - how long does Nani have?
Eh? We only had 2 wingers and 1 of them had suffered a horrendous leg break the season before. I'd say there was every need to bring in a winger.
Well I think this is all bullshit but can't really argue with you because even Wayne fecking Rooney whom we never ever expected to even think about leaving so soon ,tried to.
More than a midfielder? I don't think so personally. If you can make a case for another winger off the back of injuries suffered, then my argument about needing a midfielder more surely trumps your claim.
That is what i meant by not really needing him. I am happy we bought Young, i like him as a player, but that doesn't mean i could justify his signing more than a midfielder last summer. We didn't only have 2 wingers by the way, Park, Cleverley and Giggs have all regularly played wide, as well as Nani and Valencia.
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