Nani

When was that mate?



Well in my time as a regular match goer a few years back. From my recollection few players were greeted with so many groans from the fans every time they tried something that didn't come off.

I think this was partly down to people expecting too much from him from the very beginning.

Mate you've got to ask yourself why would thousands of fans have a problem with Nani for trying something that other players get applauded for. That wouldn't make sense. They were just frustrated with him for the reasons I've already mentioned.

Him being in "agony" holding his shin was a constant. I don't know how to insert a pic or if I'm allowed. Just type "Nani in pain" into Google. It wasn't a massive deal for us, we found it funny more than anything. The pain always seemed to be in the exact same spot. Halfway up his shin.
 
He's a big game player. Was really hoping Mourinho would bring him back to OT. Valencia is a step down for him. Sporting and Fenerbahce were big step downs for him. He should be playing with a team like us, or Juventus.
 
Mate you've got to ask yourself why would thousands of fans have a problem with Nani for trying something that other players get applauded for. That wouldn't make sense. They were just frustrated with him for the reasons I've already mentioned.

I'll have to disagree with you on that one mate i've seen and heard it first hand on many occasions. The things you have mentioned may have been part of it for some people, but for the most part Nani would get the ball try a dribble/cross/shot that didn't come off and was then thanked for his effort with groans.

Him being in "agony" holding his shin was a constant. I don't know how to insert a pic or if I'm allowed. Just type "Nani in pain" into Google. It wasn't a massive deal for us, we found it funny more than anything. The pain always seemed to be in the exact same spot. Halfway up his shin.

By any chance would it have been that part of his leg where he was just kicked?

Seriously though yeah he was very demonstrative after being fouled fair enough, but maybe he doesn't feel the need to hide pain like many of us are taught to do.
 
what was annoying was he wanted to come back after the loan, we sold di Maria, and still sold him. Then that turd of a manager complains about lack of pace :wenger:
 
but maybe he doesn't feel the need to hide pain like many of us are taught to do.

Yeah it could be that he was a man of enlightenment, free from the emotional chains of masculinity.

Or he was just a massive fanny.
 
Yeah it could be that he was a man of enlightenment, free from the emotional chains of masculinity.

Or he was just a massive fanny.

I didn't know if you were being serious or not mate to be honest i thought you were taking the piss. So you are saying that unless someone acts the hard man when they are in pain then they are a massive fanny, interesting.
 
I didn't know if you were being serious or not mate to be honest i thought you were taking the piss. So you are saying that unless someone acts the hard man when they are in pain then they are a massive fanny, interesting.

Obviously not what I was saying. Rolling around holding your shin with a face of abject horror isn't what fans want to see from a player whose struggling for form. Especially when there's nothing wrong with that player and he's up running around 30 seconds later.

Like I said Google it. You'll see the exact same picture of Nani over and over. One hand on his shin, one on his ankle(pain randomly roaming around). Almost in tears. Fans can see through that kind of stuff and it's not what they want. Not at OT anyway.

Moving on was without doubt the correct decision for United.
 
Obviously not what I was saying. Rolling around holding your shin with a face of abject horror isn't what fans want to see from a player whose struggling for form. Especially when there's nothing wrong with that player and he's up running around 30 seconds later.

Like I said Google it. You'll see the exact same picture of Nani over and over. One hand on his shin, one on his ankle(pain randomly roaming around). Almost in tears. Fans can see through that kind of stuff and it's not what they want. Not at OT anyway.

Fair enough mate. We have to remember he's Portugese though many continental players are encouraged from a young age to act up to get the free kick.

I have no doubt though that there was plenty of times he was actually hurt, did he also make a meal of a load of them no doubt yes but then so did Ronaldo.

Moving on was without doubt the correct decision for United.

At the time i thought it was the right time for him to move on and that we would replace him. But i'm not sure how anyone could watch a season of Mata/Lingard on the right wing and not wish we had kept Nani on for another year before replacing him properly.
 
People preferring Valencia over him was the most frustrating thing, as were the constant Old Trafford heckles for Nani, our fans completely broke him. A fit confident Nani has always been a very very good player.


Wait for a few bad games for Nani and they will be out in the open again.
 
We sold him for such a low amount considering his talent, age and the amount of trophies he helped us win. We all know how frustrating Nani could be for us at times but overall he was actually one of our better wingers and should have been given more of a chance in the team, when fit and on form he was always a threat and caused plenty of problems for our opponents.

He was simply a casualty of Fergie retiring unfortunately, silly decision to sell him for so little considering he actually impressed during his loan spell but never mind. Nani would be a great squad player to have and he's shown that he's still got plenty to offer. Happy for him after yesterday and hope he does well at Valencia.
 
Actually thinking about it, he's probably the player I've most enjoyed watching (when on song) the past 10-15 years. Too bad it was so short.

Great first touch, brilliant technique, genuinely two footed, great feints, great burst of acceleration and top speed, fantastic dribbling ability (i.e not just a flat track bully), power in his shots and genuinely pulled off world class 'moments' ON the ball. As much as I enjoyed Ronaldo's goal scoring and dominance in the final third, and Rooney's sheer desire and power, Nani was something else stylistically (and my preference for entertainment). He's has done things similar to your Riberys, Robbens, Messis, Hazards etc.
 
We sold him for such a low amount considering his talent, age and the amount of trophies he helped us win. We all know how frustrating Nani could be for us at times but overall he was actually one of our better wingers and should have been given more of a chance in the team, when fit and on form he was always a threat and caused plenty of problems for our opponents.

He was simply a casualty of Fergie retiring unfortunately, silly decision to sell him for so little considering he actually impressed during his loan spell but never mind. Nani would be a great squad player to have and he's shown that he's still got plenty to offer. Happy for him after yesterday and hope he does well at Valencia.

It was clearly the wrong decision to let him go. Not only did LvG not buy a replacement but Nani himself seems to have matured into a far more balanced player than what he was in his early years.
 
Was pretty consistent throughout the competition. Wish he was still around. He lacked consistency while at United though.
 
As much as i like Young, the fact that he's still with us and Nani was sold is an absolute farce.
 
Random how United stopped believing so soon in RvP and Nani, 2 guys that legitemaly brought you guys trophies.
 
Selling RVP was a disgrace imo. In a dysfunctional team like Moyes and LVG - he still managed to show his quality at times. Had 1-2 seasons in him.

People have short memories. Playing Valencia over Nani was a simple decision. When Nani was not at his best, he was atrocious. A complete liability (much like Rooney).
While a below par Valencia was tidy in possession and gave his all.

Full backs figuring Valencia out is just stupid. Valencia lost the extra two yards and therefore could not beat his opponent consistently. Also, imo, playing him at RB made him less reluctant to take risks when he played as a RW.

Nani and Valencia weren't in direct competition anyway as Nani was effective on either wing. Should have stayed but sadly, was not a sideways passer that Mr. Philosophy wanted.
 
Nani and Valencia weren't in direct competition anyway as Nani was effective on either wing. Should have stayed but sadly, was not a sideways passer that Mr. Philosophy wanted.

Nani was much more comfortable on the right imo. He could cross with far more freedom than trying to hit the byline and then cross with his left. I felt at times he was sacrificed a bit on the left to keep Valencia on the right.

Also I felt he sort of lost motivation that preseason he was loaned as he didnt look like he was trying hard to please the new manager. After everything he'd been through ie form, fitness, confidence in him from others, confidence in himself, he needed a fresh start elsewhere. So I thought the loan was a good idea personally. Now the question is should he have come back...perhaps.
 
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He was actually in very good form around that Madrid game. It started with that performance at Reading where he singlehandedly got us back in the game. Was an incredible player when he was in the mood.
Oh, was he? I don't remember it clearly. Are you talking about the Reading game where it was something crazy like 4-3 to us by half time and then no goals in the second? :D

Though, after the Madrid game I don't remember seeing him again for the rest of the season bar the Arsenal away game where they got to give RvP a guard of honour. Then, after Fergie retired, he got little to no chances under both Moyes and LvG and was eventually sold without really ever being given the opportunity to regain some form for us.


Was that the 5-4 game?

Ferguson actually blamed him on the defeat that night in his interview, saying we conceded because he lost the ball 40-50 yards from our goal. I couldn't believe it to be honest.

We actually lost because we played a tool called Wooten at CB who gifted Chelsea a couple of goals.
Yeah, it was. I agree in that it was very harsh to blame Nani because he was excellent in attack that game, but I think Fergie was trying to deflect the blame from Wooten to Nani in hopes of Nani handling the criticism better being the senior whilst protecting a youngster who was out of his depth.

That was a cracker of a game tbf.
It was fun :)
 
Enjoyed that @100 cheers.

That chip from the byline about 2 mins in is a great goal.
 
Nani scored some fantastic goals for us, the Chelsea one into the top corner and the pass & move goal v City in the Community Shield were 2 of the best there. On his day he was a brilliant player, real shame it didn't work out.
 
Nani's overall ratio of good to bad was just a little too low to be considered a great, but he had spells of high quality and his best moments were joyous. That goal in the 2-1 over City (about 4 minutes into that video) is one of my favourite goals. The control and finish is decent, but its the speed he's travelling while he does it that makes it a classic.
 
His form off the right was always great. It was a shame he'd be moved to the left to accomodate Valencia
 
The Arsenal one and that chip vs Spurs are my favourite. What I like about that Spurs goal is that we were chasing the title in those last few games, and were really struggling against Spurs in that game, and he pulls that out of nothing with great touch and a chip, that wasn't even a proper chance and he made it look too easy. Thought at that time that goal will bring us the title, but unfortunately we blew it again in next few games.

Our best winger in last ten years by a mile.
 
Was our best player for a period of around 12-18 months. Shame it all pretty much went to shit for him after that Carragher tackle. Always felt that under different circumstances he would've ended up world class.
 
Love the touch and finish against City in the Rooney bicycle kick game.
 
His form off the right was always great. It was a shame he'd be moved to the left to accomodate Valencia
Yep. He was capable of brilliance off the left (indeed, many of his best ever games were on the left), but he was never able to be consistent with it. Whereas on the right he was far more consistent.

As much as I do love Valencia, I wish we hadn't sacrificed Nani for him. An on-form Nani is simply different class, capable of being the best player in the league (as he was for the only season he was predominantly played on the right).
 
you know what

he'd be a quality short term solution for us on the right

we've no one in the squad with his skill or ability to beat a man
 
Just watching that goal against Arsenal reminds of what we need in a winger. The dribbling ability to break down a deep defence from outwide is exceptional.
 
Rose tinted specs are great.

I remember clearly before he left he was lambasted almost weekly by United fans, lazy, inconsistent, wasteful. You were glad to see the back of him. Rival fans wanted him to stay :D