Nani – A Step Too Far??

Over the weekend, Nani was keen to stress that his outburst against Sir Alex Ferguson last week did not constitute a ‘bust up’ with his boss.

Speaking in a Portuguese newspaper, he was quoted as saying:-

“Ferguson is a very complicated man. He’s tough. If things are all right, then they are all right. But when he thinks something is wrong, everything is screwed. He can go from complimenting you to just plain trashing you in a matter of minutes. Has it happened to me? Hell, yes! He’ll say ‘Nani, how could you miss this or this’?”

“People expect more from me and it’s not easy. But they are also not doing what they said they were going to. I can have a spectacular game but nobody guarantees me I will be starting the next match. It shatters your confidence. I did not play the important matches, against Liverpool, Manchester City or Tottenham. Not playing these games, I am a bit sad. But for now I am not considering leaving.”

Just who does he think he is?!

Sir Alex Ferguson is probably the best manager ever to have walked this earth. His record at dealing with players of all mentalities is second to none. Speak to any of the current squad (obviously aside from Mr Nani) and they will wax lyrical to you about how he knows instinctively when a player needs an arm around the shoulder and when they need a kick up their proverbial backside.

I think most fans would agree that, at the moment, the Portuguese winger definitely needs the latter. His performances strike of a man who believes he is ten times better than he actually is, of someone who shouldn’t have to ‘deal with’ playing in lesser games. He almost has the attitude that we should be grateful that he graces Old Trafford, rather than the other way round…and as far as I’m concerned no-one, no matter who they are, should have that mentality, let alone a player who has rarely, if ever produced anything to back up those claims.

His comments of last week, almost intimating that it was a travesty that he was omitted from the bigger games, are laughable. I’m sure most United fans were glad that the selection did not include a player who can be wasteful in possession, lightweight on the ball, and ridiculously inconsistent from one minute to the next.

There is no doubt that he has the potential to improve. He has shown occasional flashes of brilliance – his goals against Liverpool and Middlesbrough have shown that. But they are so few and far between that they stick out like sore thumbs. Something you cannot say about his numerous lacklustre displays.

I will always support anyone chosen to wear the red shirt, but there is nothing more irritating than a player with ideas above their status. The only way Nani is going to realise any potential he has, is to knuckle down to work and improve. And realise that he is NOT anywhere near what we require as a finished product. And in order to be where he thinks he already is, he could do a lot worse than listen to the man he dares to criticise. A man with a proven judgement of players.

“ I am a bit sad. But for now I am not considering leaving” states the 23-year-old. Oh well thanks Nani, that’s very big of you. But, unless you change your attitude, unfortunately for you there are few of us who would shed a tear if you did. And if I were taking bets on who would make that decision, at this moment in time I wouldn’t be making you odds-on favourite for the job!

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Category: Man Utd Ramblings, Manchester United, News Opinion, Players Comments, Sir Alex Ferguson