Nani - Exclusive Interview
REJUVENATED Nani intends to hold his head high in United's gallery of the greats.
This year, the Portuguese winger has answered his critics in spectacular style. Last summer the 23-year-old was among the most likely of United players to be heading for the Old Trafford door.
Having signed from Sporting Lisbon for £18m in 2007, his form in his 73 appearances for United up to the end of last season put a huge question mark over his future with the Reds as he failed to win over his critics.
The majority of supporters and expert observers were unconvinced Nani could become United material but despite interest from around Europe, Reds' boss Sir Alex Ferguson kept faith with his Portuguese international.
And his faith has been paid back in buckets. Since New Year Nani has begun to silence his doubters.
His part in the clinical destruction of Arsenal at the Emirates was the highlight, but impressive displays against Hull, City and Portsmouth have seen him build a consistent return. Now the player is making the kind of headlines he's been dreaming about.
"I came to United because I wanted to impress and to make good stories. I didn't want anyone saying when I left that Nani was at United but he did nothing," Nani told MEN Sport.
"When I leave eventually I want the fans to remember me as a big player for the club. I want them to say that Nani did well for United. That is what I want.
"I don't think people have seen me like that so far. But I am young. I have time on my side. We will see what happens over the next few years.
"I am sure there were some clubs who wanted to buy me in the summer. I am at the best club in the world so everyone wants to buy United players because they know we have quality.
"I never wanted to go. When you are feeling low and things aren't going well, you do feel alone. There have been times like that. But I never thought about quitting and going back to Portugal.
"I am so happy here. The most important thing is to feel at home and I feel at home now. That is a good feeling.
"My form has been very good recently but I know I can do better. I will work hard to do that.
"I know everyone is surprised that suddenly I am the man who is playing very well. But I am so happy that everyone is speaking about me now.
"I think I have probably changed people's opinions of me. That is very good. Players like to be in this situation. You want the fans to be with you and feel confident. You want to media to be writing good stories about you.
"Everyone in the club is giving me good support and telling me good things about me. This is all very good.
"It is important for a player to feel this way to be able to be in good form and full of confidence. I am feeling like that now. I am so happy."
Nani has been aware that he hadn't been flavour of the month many times with United fans and the critics also had a downer on him.
But the winger says his character got him through the difficult times.
"I was in a bad position sometimes and it wasn't easy to get up again. But I have shown I don't get depressed too easily," he adds.
"Of course, your confidence does suffer on occasions and you get down but I am the sort of person who can get back up quickly. I am a strong personality. I am always forward-looking.
"If you are not a strong character then it will drag you down and you won't be confident or look to the future anymore. But I am not like that.
"One thing I know I am sure about is that I have the quality to be one of the best in the world. I can achieve that.
"I always felt it would happen for me. I know my quality."
Nani accepts he's had tough times and his form hasn't always been consistent but he believes the picture has been painted bleaker that it really is.
"I thought I did well in the past," he says. "People sometimes seem to remember all the bad things. But if you go back and look at some of the good things I have done here then you will see very good games.
"I have actually achieved more in the past than people give me credit for. I have been here two years and won two leagues. I have scored goals and played more good games than now.
"But people seem to pick on the bad bits and highlight the good bits at the moment. I just have to keep those good moments going now.
"I was disappointed at the start of the season because I had started well but then had my ankle injury. That was a blow.
"But since that has cleared up I have been able to work hard every day in training and prepare for my chance. Once you get the opportunity you have to keep hold onto it."
Nani's recent form was put down to Fergie employing him on the right wing instead of the left side he's occupied for the majority of his games for the Reds.
But the winger says he's not bothered which side he plays on.
"My right foot is my stronger one but I don't have a preferred position," he says.
"I can do it on either side. You saw against Portsmouth that I was still in form when I was back on the left.
"If you are feeling confident it doesn't matter which side of the pitch you are on or in which area you are playing. It is all about confidence."
Nani's form has also been endorsed by his Portuguese international team-mate and former United colleague Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Real Madrid star has remained in regular contact with his buddy.
"Cristiano is a good man and he has been very pleased for me," Nani says.
"We speak a lot on the phone and we text each other. He was a great help for me when he was at United and now he's happy that things are going well for me at the moment."
Nani - Exclusive interview - Manchester Evening News
I watched that on MUTV with Erwin breaking down the united-arse game. It was a great interview with paddy. He's done enough on the pitch and off it to convince me he should be made captain when the likes of Neville and Rio aren't playing.