NANI FEARS FOR UNITED FUTURE

Winger seeks reassurance from Fergie

WORRIED MAN - Nani
WORRIED MAN - Nani

MANCHESTER UNITED winger Nani wants boss Sir Alex Ferguson to give him assurances over his future - but he may not get them.

The Portuguese international, 22, is concerned about speculation he could be surplus to requirements.

And he will sit down with Fergie during preseason training to find out exactly where he stands.

A United source said: "Nani believes his chance has come following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, but the rumours just won't go away and he is looking for answers."

Struggled

Nani has struggled to live up to expectations since his £14million move from Sporting Lisbon two seasons ago.

Spanish clubs Atletico Madrid and Villarreal have both been linked with moves for the player.

Sport of the World understands Sir Alex still thinks Nani will come good but will not stand in his way if he is unhappy.

He could even prove a valuable makeweight as the United boss pursues further attacking options.

The £18m arrival of winger Antonio Valencia from Wigan will have done little to ease Nani's fears.

Your comments

This article has 52 comments

i dont agree with my collegue that NANI is going backwards that is not true.he just neens more games just like CR7 had. i feel Nani is even more talented than even CR9 only let expose his skilz.

By mubita.. Posted July 23 2009 at 9:21 PM.

Nani just needs time to develop his talent bse when he came the first season he scored an amazing goal against spurs, remember how he shattered arsenal in the FA cup , so he deserves more time with the first team.

By Denis Ankunda Man u fan Kampala.. Posted July 23 2009 at 8:21 AM.

well for me nani is a good player with the possability to be a great player but he needs to change his attitude i mean im not exstatic about the signings of owen and orbertan(although he is amazing talent) but they will bring something back to united i feel we've lost more and more as ronaldo got better and better becuase we lost our natural attacking flow which was at its most evident against the tactical might of barca where we just gave the ball to ronaldo and let him shoot from 30 yards out and we played like that far to much last season and thats not what united is about we need to get back to being a team and i feel nani is of a simular personallity to ronaldo so i hope fergy gels him in to a team player rather than a me player i think we should defiently get douglas he is a very good talent and talks with his feet i think anderson need to be given a more attacking role as he was amazing at porto and gremio as a attacking mid and if we get aguero wow he is the best player iv ever seen play other than maradona so that would be amazing . and for those who we think we should lose fletcher your effing mad is all i think i need to say but i wont i mean he is what fergy is about he's going now where simple .

By jake.. Posted July 13 2009 at 4:36 AM.

Nani is gud beta than a lot of players at united all he nids is to play more games and just be consistent

By cecil.. Posted July 12 2009 at 2:31 PM.

i'm a manchester united #1 fan and i think nani shouldn't be sold SAF has 2 give the kid a chance as he did 4 cr7 in his 1st season. nani hah better 1st season than ronaldo the kid is a hard worker and can play in both winger. him having on the left wing and valencia on the right wing that would be perfect.so plzzzzzzzzzz SAf give the kid a chance 2 prove him self. and i'm sure he'll be the next best player in the world. MANCHESTER UNITD 4 LIFE BABY YEAAAAAAAAAAAAH

By hussein sahal.. Posted July 12 2009 at 10:59 AM.

hi every one...
Nani is a good player n should be given a chance to prove himself this season following the departure of CR7 to CR9......
Nani will pair up well with Valencia and will produce good results for MANCHESTER UNITED...

By victor .. Posted July 12 2009 at 1:31 AM.

In all fairness, Sir Alex was not fair to Nani last season as it was in his first. Nani's first season is better than Ronaldo's yet and still Fergie gave Ronaldo more games until he developed into the best player in the world. Nani is more gifted than Ronaldo. Nani takes good corners, takes set piece with pace and curves, can dribble well, is both footed and has a terrific shots in both legs, has good vision, very brave, tricky and can penetrate defenses with ease. Why sell such a player when players like Berbatov, Fletcher should be the ones to be sold? Nani is the one who can step into Ronaldo's shoes. He has the guts as well as he has publicly stated that Sir Alex needs not look for Ronaldo's replacement when he Nani is at United becuz he will surely make fans forget about Ronaldo. The boy got guts and must be given the chance to prove himself just as Ronaldo was given the chance. Nani deserves fair treatment and will be next FIFA World Player to come out of Man United once Sir Alex plays fair game with him and give him the opportunity to express his talent and gift.

By Siebo Williams.. Posted July 10 2009 at 2:15 PM.

Nani is best replacement 4 CR7. He has the strenght,ability and vision this was his season to prove the doubters wrong.

By Isma'il Abdullahi.. Posted July 10 2009 at 11:43 AM.

6 starts, 6 substitutions last year for Nani agaianst Spurs last season at Old Trafford United were 2 goals. Nani was removed and voila Man Utd scored 5 goals.I rest my case

By Tosin.. Posted July 9 2009 at 6:45 PM.

Like i said in my previous comment, we should only really sell Lee Martin. That is exactly what happend today! Haha. We should hold on to Campbell, Macheda, Wellbeck and Manucho.

Nani is still the right man to stick with this season!

By 20LEGEND#1FAN.. Posted July 7 2009 at 12:16 AM.

when i saw berbatov,s 1st game for utd i was amazed that so much was paid for a stroller,in the states they sell baby pushchairs at wall mart which thry call strollers and they are much cheaper than the money spent on berbatov.m.owen i,m not sure nani given play time could exell,we should also keep f.cambell and possibly manucho and macheda,the young of old trafford need the chance always remember the BUSBY BABES.

By E.watson.. Posted July 6 2009 at 5:02 PM.

I'm a Tanzanian Man U fan, Nani is one of the best world class player if will be given chance to experience his skills in the 1st squard. And to be honest NANI is the only player to fill Ronaldo's gape if Sir will start using him effectively the coming season. Look, Ronaldo wasnt like Nani in his first season but more games brought him into being a world class player. To me, Barbatov is the one to be coming off.

By Karimu D Meshack.. Posted July 6 2009 at 8:50 AM.

Forasmuch as i love Sir Alex Ferguson, some of his decisions send shivers down my spine.

Nani is a talented player who needs more games to boost his confidence and that goes for all the young lads who have tasted first team football in the past season.

Frazier Campbell for instance was a breath of fresh air last season in the pre-season tour, he showed what he can do only to be shipped on loan. There is Welbeck,Macheda,Manucho etc.

Why buy young players if you will abandon them later ? These kids have what it takes to soar when blended with the veterans. SAF must not mess with the careers of these kids by selling them or loaning them out only for their dream to be shattered.

Nani is quality give him the needed boost and he will shine. Remember a certain Cristiano Ronaldo ?

By Kelly.. Posted July 6 2009 at 8:08 AM.

Not many people here actually know anything about talented footballers, or football itself!! Haha. If given more games, Nani could be the next C.Ronaldo. Lets be fair to Nani, his 1st season was better than Ronnies 1st season. He wasn't given a proper chance last season but i really believe this could be his best season yet and he can only get better! Him on one wing and Valencia on the other just spells Danger for defences. The only person we should really consider selling is Lee Martin. No one else should leave!

By 20LEGEND#1FAN.. Posted July 6 2009 at 12:18 AM.

I have to agree with alex the chelsea fan that sir alex needs to play him more if he wants to have a chance of playing regularly. by the way, i am a man utd fan x

By Ellie Palmer.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:54 PM.

hello i am spanish i come from madrid an i suport atletico.i think rumors of nani aere false,because atletico now have a lot of economic problems and the directive are not serius.in spain the news talk about pirlo for atletico but are only rumors.manchester is one of the best teams of europe and nani is the perfect cristiano ronaldo success.the best player andres iniestaa

By forza atletico.. Posted July 5 2009 at 4:20 PM.

im a chelsea fan. but i think fergie would be crazy to sell nani with enough minutes under is belt then he can be as good as ronaldo but you have to play him give him some experience then he will stop making those rooky mistakes. but if you want to sell him im not goin to be complaining who will be getting rid of the next best thing to ronaldo. i wouldnt mind seeing him in a chelsea shirt (it would never happen but). and as for robie's commment how can you compare nani to N-Dubz i have no idea. and btw brilliant buy's with micheal owen and valencia - valencia has scored 7 goals in 83 apperence for wigan and micheal owen has scored 30 goals in 65 apperences but that over 4 years. and fergie expects those two to make up for ronaldo next year then he is of his nut. but any way next season your gunna flop no ronaldo no teves, scholes and giggs are 2 old and you want to sell the next generation of world class players. hahahahahahahahaha. if your lucky u might come 3rd.

By alex.. Posted July 5 2009 at 3:54 PM.

im a chelsea fan. but i think fergie would be crazy to sell nani with enough minutes under is belt then he can be as good as ronaldo but you have to play him give him some experience then he will stop making those rooky mistakes. but if you want to sell him im not goin to be complaining who will be getting rid of the next best thing to ronaldo. i wouldnt mind seeing him in a chelsea shirt (it would never happen but). and as for robie's commment how can you compare nani to N-Dubz i have no idea. and btw brilliant buy's with micheal owen and valencia - valencia has scored 7 goals in 83 apperence for wigan and micheal owen has scored 30 goals in 65 apperences but that over 4 years. and fergie expects those two to make up for ronaldo next year then he is of his nut. but any way next season your gunna flop no ronaldo no teves, scholes and giggs are 2 old and you want to sell the next generation of world class players. hahahahahahahahaha. if your lucky u might come 3rd.

By alex.. Posted July 5 2009 at 3:45 PM.

Although d ages varry,ron wasnt much better dan nani wen he arrived 4rm lisbon,even afta his first season he didnt do too well too.i'm advocatin dat nani should b give more first team chance and u'll knw wat manner of talent hidden in dat lad.and 4 fletcher-he's a gr8 fighter we cant loose.4 berba-one more season 2 regain form.

By Iheanyi.. Posted July 5 2009 at 3:42 PM.

Lets face it Mr Christiano overshadowed the success of Nani. I think he must not be for sale whats so ever the reason. The man is better than Christiano. I have already seen a Balloon Od'or 2010 from United in Nani. Make him work he is not like we've seen him the past seasons. He is the only ready Manchester star 2010 no need to learn to play the united way. Expect acrobatic celebration to be a manchester tradition in every game.

By Chabu C.. Posted July 5 2009 at 3:15 PM.

Its short and simple i think Nani is a quality player and just deserves a chance by getting a long run in the first team, with recent signings like Tosic and Valencia(wingers) its going to be really hard for him to prob even get on the bench this year. im a man u fan and its not looking good for nani

PS a mi sey more game fi nani

By Khemis.. Posted July 5 2009 at 3:10 PM.

Anderson is getting better and better. This season you will see goals from this guy. Fergie loves him so does Bryan Robson so I can't argue with that.

As for Fletcher I can understand why the fans don't really like this guy. Funny how in other top teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, Real and Barcalona don't have a player as bad as Fletcher. I am for giving youth their chance.

Darren Gibson played really well last season and I truly hope that he pushes Fletcher to sitting on the bench for the new whole season coming.

By Warren.. Posted July 5 2009 at 2:59 PM.

I think nani jus lacks simple ball sense n is very inconsistent..fletcher was gr8 last season n anderson didn't do badly at all..nonetheless,we should try luis out for an0ther season,get a stopper and probably a midfielder.n0 need for eto,think kiko n danny wil improve by learnin from owen!

By Ekow,ghana,man utd fan... Posted July 5 2009 at 2:57 PM.

Nani is a quality player and it would be a big big mistake to sell him now that Ronaldo has gone. We have seen flashes of brillance from Nani last season. I truly believe that this season Nani will shine, Fergie just give this guy a chance like you have Fletcher. Nani is a billion times better than Flatcher well to be honest all the players at Man Utd are. If Fergie wants to sell anyone sell Berbatov this man just has no interest in working hard for the team. Oh yes sell Fletcher too please.

By Warren.. Posted July 5 2009 at 2:51 PM.

gunner funs sit back and watch nani turn into the next shirt no.7 the magic shirt

By By Piddy.. Posted July 5 2009 at 2:36 PM.

why do city fans always make comments on pages involving united? it makes me laugh. worry about your own club lads and how well you won't be living up to expectations next season, again. LOL. Top 4 and a trophy??? ARE U HAVIN A LAUGH

By Matt.. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:06 PM.

nani should be given some trust from sir alex ferguson! and some more first team appearence!!

By ridder22.. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:11 PM.

I agree with the anti fletcher mob. I saw every home game last season and despaired at the amount of times fletcher gave the ball away. You don't see it from quality passers like scholsey. If we're buying last chancers like Owen I'd love to see Beckham come back and start spraying the ball over the top to owen and rooney. 20 mins a game would be worth the money.Only takes one decent ball to change a game

By seasontktholder17yrs.. Posted July 5 2009 at 1:57 PM.

How can anyone disrespect Fletcher??? The man is a warrior! we need to keep him!
As for Nani (aka N-Dubz) he is a quality player, who needs to demonstrate this on a consistent basis, i think this season he will need to play on the right, because he struggles on the left!
as for Owen, the man is a great addition to the squad! 30 goals in 65 prem games for Ncastle... surely he deserves a bit more credit than he is getting. PS - Dont forget that it is a FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE transfer!!
Fergie = Genius!

By Robie.. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:33 PM.

you can't expect a player to improve each season if he is not given a proper run in the side, he has the talent so should be giving more of a chance now that ronaldo is gone

By Dermot Hayes.. Posted July 5 2009 at 1:26 PM.

Please gaffer keep nani and is going to be the next world best.

By ALEXANDER,KORLE GONNO-GHANA.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:06 AM.

Nani, thought you would have known you get treated like this at Man Utd. You are not the first very very talented player to get the cold shoulder off Fergie, and you wont be the last. Man U have destroyed lots of careers of players they buy, (cos they can afford it), who then never see the first team. Now though they have a team of old crocks, including that 'great' signing, of a massively sought after player (not), Owen, and a load of young bucks, most yet to prove themselves. The rest are just mediocre - Fletcher, Anderson etc etc who aren't any better than whats in and around the Prem at the moment. United have lost thier 2 best assets and in return have failed to sign anyone any good so far. Berbie was another rubbish, over hyped buy and is not worth the money. The bloke is lazy and dosent run - just watch him, very lazy. Nani, smell the coffee mate and move on while you are still known. Kettle is on at City !! Utd - mid table finish next year.



By Life long City fan.. Posted July 5 2009 at 11:26 AM.

Nani is quality however he is not what united needs to go forward. he should be used with around 40 million pounds to buy Sergio Aguero who is truly amazing and would be a perfect adition and the right name for the FAMOUS NUMBER 7 SHIRT!

also fletcher is extremely important to united we need him as he does the hard stuff in the middle of the park. LASTLY! dont forget hargreves is returning united will be stronger than ever lads dont you worry

lastly eto'o would be a great signing

By Michael Skoullos.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:46 AM.

to be honest, i think Nani is a quality player who can replace Ronaldo in seasons to come. i like him for the fact that he can play on both wings. believe me. a players like Nani are not easy to find.Nani deserve alot than what he get. i can advise Nani to join teams like Arsenal if he have to quit Man U because Arsenal need a player who can accelerate the left wing to keep defender busy as T Walcot keep pressure them on the right wing.

By Shikongo.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:37 AM.

The only reason Nani's career is moving backwards is because he is at the wrong club. How can you expect him to prosper when he is teaming up with court jesters like "shreck". He is a young talent that was obviously misguided to joining the wrong team. Now is the time for Nani to move to the right team that can improve his game to world class standard. Arsenal.

By Gadza. Posted July 5 2009 at 1:58 AM.

court jesters like shrek...give me a break.we all know rooney is a world class player, united fan or not,i think your just trying to kid yourself,so who have arsenal nurtured....walcott,we knew he was a good player at southampton,3 years on and look at him now,still way off the finished article and can't even get in the starting eleven,not much improvement there,or what about fabregas who exploded onto the scene a few years ago,i think he's gone backwards.what about ramsey,i maybe mistaken but did arsenal not sign him last year,maybe he plays in reserves,not much experience to gain there.wenger's had it easy for too long,he's in a comfort zone that only the most decorated managers feel.but hey i'm not complaining.you clueless cockney's are getting further and further away each season

By madforit.. Posted July 5 2009 at 11:06 AM.

i believe the prob is berbatov not nani and anderson,these boys did it well.but fergie sh'd offload Nani,berbatov,scholes and get Aguero as cover for ronaldo.then go for samuel etto to get us goals.Nani is not fit for united,he does not give the ball when expectted to do so but like to go his way and loose.we need ball players and goal poachers than Nani.flecther did what he was expected to do.he is next scholes

By charles.. Posted July 5 2009 at 11:06 AM.

Sell Fletcher?! he was one of our best players last year! you must have watched hardly any games if u think that he needs to be offloaded

By Mikey.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:01 AM.

How can people be calling for Fletcher to be sold? You obviously know nothing about football and think only big names can play. He was our best player in the knockout stages of the Champions League and I'm sure our midfield would not have been torn apart like it was had he played in the final.

By Barnesy.. Posted July 5 2009 at 9:31 AM.

did anyone happen to see nani against arsenal? that was a masterclass of attacking football i think a decent run in the side and we'd see improvement 10 fold, he's just desperate to show what he can do and thats having an alternate affect. as for the comment on fletcher and anderson fletcher is one of uniteds best squad players and i think a different outcome in cl final if he was on pitch.and anderson has had to change his game so much from the way he naturally plays.

By glossopredpaul.. Posted July 5 2009 at 9:19 AM.

Fergi should give nani a chance he deserve it.all he have to do his tell him to pass the ball well,control his shot and other things.

By Segun skinny.. Posted July 5 2009 at 9:02 AM.

gadza, can you remind me of the score in last year's champs league semi final. Thats right we totally embarrassed you!! and as for all of u who think we should get rid ov fletch, anderson etc,did u watch any football last year?? idiots. fletch was one of our best players.

By unitedtilidie.. Posted July 5 2009 at 8:52 AM.

WHY NOT OFFLOAD NANI TO LIVERPOOL, RUBBISH TO RUBBISH!!!!!!!!

By THE BATLEY RED DEVIL.. Posted July 5 2009 at 8:54 AM.

yes nani is going backwards, at this present time,finding the reason should solve the promlem

By barrie cooper.. Posted July 5 2009 at 8:32 AM.

I don't think he's going backwards, but he certainly isn't improving. He just seems disinterested & more concerned with diving & complaining about how defenders "have broken his back"!
I think Fergie should get rid of him, we could get between £12 - £18 Mill for him in the current market. Or use him as a make weight to get Joao Moutinho & Veloso. I think £18 Mil + Nani should prize those two lads away!

By Addi.. Posted July 5 2009 at 7:42 AM.

I agree, Nani, Anderson and Fletcher have no end product. They are the three players in the side most likely to lose the ball. For all Phil Nevilles faults, at least you knew the ball would always get played back to a red shirt.

By Berbatov.. Posted July 5 2009 at 7:44 AM.

I dont know what is with him but he seems to me a bit clumsey its like his mind switches off half way down the wing and he forgets what he is doing something weird about the way he plays anyway

I think he is one of those that made the move to early

Bit like Anderson too i think another year where they was would have done them the world of good maybe fergie should loan them back for a year

By Dan0.. Posted July 5 2009 at 7:18 AM.

I'll be much happier seeing Owen come off the bench than Nani. Nani thinks he is the next Ronaldo when in reality he is the next Kleberson. Flog him and while they are at it get rid of Fletcher and Anderson as well.

By nrflkred.. Posted July 5 2009 at 6:43 AM.

these gunner fans still live in dream land , thinking they are the best side for young player , who have u developed into a world class player ? football is simple , win things , if u can`t do that shut and and admired the team who does , we won the title with kids before remember , but situation have change therefore we change as well not like the gooner

By keith.. Posted July 5 2009 at 2:24 AM.

The only reason Nani's career is moving backwards is because he is at the wrong club. How can you expect him to prosper when he is teaming up with court jesters like "shreck". He is a young talent that was obviously misguided to joining the wrong team. Now is the time for Nani to move to the right team that can improve his game to world class standard. Arsenal.

By Gadza.. Posted July 5 2009 at 1:58 AM.

yes but ronaldo played alot more often so he as bound to improve nani hasnt had a good run in the side

By graeme.. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:13 AM.

PLEASE! Get rid of him! He's the most frustrating player, with no end product, i've seen in a Man Utd shirt in years. He's clearly not a top 4 player.

By Coley.. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:08 AM.

i think alot of people, myself included, expected nani to be the next ronaldo but he doesn't seem to be improving. With ronaldo their was a visible increase in quality every season but if anything nani seems to be going backwards.

By fletch.. Posted July 4 2009 at 11:39 PM.

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