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!

Please leave your comments here, or go to my twitter page.

First off, a splendid little piece by Russel Brand on the Guardian website. If you haven’t read his football writing, but like his stand-up act, you’ll love it. He uses his vast vocabulary in ways that it probably wasn’t intended; describing the world of football. But today he’s got a great piece on Sir Alex, and how it might take something unworldly to lead him to retire.

The second piece from the rags today is actually also from the Guardian website. Rio talks to David Conn about his life, ambitions and his desire to make history with Man Utd, nice stuff.

A nice, short and typically brilliant low-brow picture of Liverpool from Republik of Mancunia.

The Times says that Ronaldo is set to outshine Mr. Messi in Rome, according to the stats anyway.

Among others, ESPN reports the story that a UK newspaper has discovered our CL Final lineup. And apparently there’s no place for Berba or Tevez. Hint here, it’s allegedly the same as the lineup against Arsenal in the CL, with Giggs instead of Fletcher. Intriguing stuff, sigh.

Another fairly lazy day today so gonna plump you all up with another fill of Man Utd Ramblings. It could be worse, I don’t know how but I’m sure it could be.

The news came out recently that Man Utd will wear a full white kit for the Champions League Final against Barcelona. Barcelona presumably won a coin-toss deciding this thing and they will wear their home kit. Some people think it’s not a good thing that we’re wearing it, because we lost to Liverpool in it earlier this season, therefore carrying bad luck. A load of balls to me really, doesn’t matter what colour the jersey is. But would you prefer to see us in the home or away kit?

In our next piece of mind-blowing news, Dimitar Berbatov is continuing to convince people that he is human. After speaking to Sky Sports (above) he said “Don’t be bothered by my face if I don’t show it. Trust me, on the inside I’m really happy here.” And in another interview he has done recently (he’s really putting himself about) he said that he gets so nervous every time he pulls on the United shirt that he shakes. I’m starting to see him more as a human now, not just some humanoid sent from the future to infuriate me.

Final piece of news is something I saw over at the brilliant Republik of Mancunia. Basically, the premise behind this was when Sir Alex won his first title with United back in 1992/93 Liverpool fans weren’t too worried. When Fergie brought his team of champions to Anfield in January 1994 held up this banner. Yes, that banner. Hmmmmm, it’s actually hard to fathom how much I laughed at that. It’s also hard to fathom just how loud our fans will sing “Ooh, aah Cantona! I said ooh, aah Cantona!” at Anfield next season.

And I’ll leave this with a beautiful poem my Manc mate Damien Molloy (told him I’d drop his name) text to me. Sit back, and enjoy.

Liverpool, Liverpool, how did you fair?
You beat us twice but no trophy was there,
Don’t be bitter don’t have a moan,
Tune in a week on Wednesday and watch us in Rome,
Eighteen times and that’s a fact,
Champions League Finals back to back,
I’ll just say one thing – I’m a Scouse hater,
And you’ll never win fuck all with that fat Spanish waiter.

First off today, there’s a nice piece on the Times Online, as they discuss the twenty defining moments of the season for United including Scolari joining Chelsea, Abu Dhabi buying City and Liverpool’s many draws.

Guardian Football says that Gary Neville could be this year’s Champions League Final’s Ji-Sung Park, by being left out of the squad for Rome altogether.

This one is a few days old but is still worth a read, Football365 conclude sixteen points from United’s draw with Arsenal on Saturday. It’s quite funny, as usual from F365.

You’ll see these all around the internet but I’ve seen it on FSC, once again another ‘leaked’ version of United’s new kit for the 2009/10 season, I don’t think I like it.

And finally, a piece from the ever sensible The Sun, as they pinpoint the ten best decisions ever made by Sir Alex, hmmm. Read at your own risk.

It has been confirmed that this summer United will compete in the Audi Cup 2009, to take place in the Allianz Arena. The tournament will take place over two days from July 29, with Boca Juniors, AC Milan and obviously Bayern Munich the other participating teams.

United will play Boca and Bayern will play Milan in the Semi-Finals on July 29. The Third-Place Playoff and the Final will be held the next day, July 20. Dunno what the winner, but I’m gonna guess that the player of the tournament gets a car, probably an Audi!

Sounds like it will be a good tournament. Four good teams ‘battling’ it out in a great stadium. It seems that these new tournaments spring up every summer. Does the Amsterdam Tournament even exist anymore? No word about what TV station the tournament will be broadcast on but I’m going to guess either Sky Sports or Setanta.

(Tickets for the Audi Cup 2009 are available at the Bayern Munich Official Website.)

In another tidbit, United’s Patrice Evra has come out and said that he’s not too concerned about United’s current form. His, as well as United’s form, has dipped noticeably recently but the French left-back isn’t fazed by the occurrences of the past few weeks.

“I have been at Manchester United for three years now and this is the first time I have lost two straight matches.

“I am sure it is just a little accident.”

Staggeringly in-depth comments from the French international, I know. I wonder if all United’s players are as nonchalant about what’s happened? They’ve been truly awful in the last two games and I think that if they all have this attitude there might be another defeat around the corner.

Finally, an interesting piece over at The Guardian by Rob Bagchi regarding Rooney in the aftermath of his red card at Fulham. He raises the point (that many have recently) that if he wants to be one of the best, he has to channel his anger into something positive. Check it out here, I don’t agree with some of it but it’s interesting.

Away from my drinking habits the Champions League Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals draw takes place tomorrow morning at 10.55am at the UEFA HQ in Nyon, Switzerland.

There are eight sides left in the draw; us, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Barca, Bayern Munich, Villarreal and Porto. Rob is doing a Live Blog of the draw over at the Champions League Offside tomorrow morning. As he states over there, anyone can draw anyone else so there’s bound to be an all EPL tie.

Without a doubt, Barcelona are the team that most clubs will look to avoid. They appear to have got over their little blip and are in fairly barnstorming form yet again. Saying that, there’s never any point in looking to avoid any side in the Champions League because if you’re looking to win the thing you’ll have to beat the best anyway. Plus, we are the holders so we should have absolutely no fear in facing any side at all!

Onto the next topic; the away game at Fulham on Saturday. Last time we played Fulham (in the FA Cup) we beat them 4-0, with goals from Park, Roo and Tevez. After that match everyone was quick to say how unbeatable United are and how they don’t even have to try to win anymore. This time, however, is different. Despite still being 4 points ahead of ‘Pool and Chelsea at the top of the EPL with a game in hand United should see this as something to prove. After being demolished by Liverpool last Saturday there have been immediate retractions regarding peeps’ statements about United’s invincibility. If United don’t win against Fulham then they’re be even more people saying that we’re letting the title slip. In my opinion United need to win, and win big if only just to silence the naysayers.

I really hope we hammer Fulham and put the Liverpool game behind us. Because if we do beat Fulham convincingly we can put to bed the doubts and put down the Liverpool defeat as just an awful, tiny blip.

In the last of my Utd news, there are some nice little pics over at Unprofessional Foul regarding Gary Neville’s hedges outside his house, it’s pretty cool/ridiculously stupid…

A small tidbit regarding this season’s Champions League Final in Rome, if like me you want to see the CL Final moved from Rome click on The Times’ campaign page here.

It has been said many times recently that if what has happened in Italian football in the past years had happened in England, English teams would have been kicked out of Europe again. That’s a point for a different day but if you want to get involved click on the link above and follow he instructions..

So, first off, what a game on Saturday! Many people had predicted a tight match and Daryl even predicted United’s Quintuple dream to end. How wrong some people were. United were brilliant against Fulham, controlling the match from start to finish and showing again what depth we have. Two goals from Tevez and goals from Park and Rooney settled a tie that United never looked like losing, or drawing! If you haven’t seen them already, highlights here.

The FA Cup Semi-Final draw was yesterday and United drew Everton, who disposed of Middlesbrough 2-1 at Goodison yesterday. I’m kinda happy with the draw. Don’t get me wrong, Everton are good but I’m glad we haven’t drawn Arsenal or Chelsea. Of course Arsenal still have to play Hull, but I expect Arsenal to overpower Hull. I hope that it’s an Arsenal-United Final. The reason I say this is that I don’t want a repeat of the borefest of an FA Cup Final that was United vs Chelsea in 06/07. Aside from losing that one, it was such a poor match to boot. I don’t think United vs Arsenal would be that bad.

I’m really looking forward to the Everton match. They’re a good side with shitloads of spirit and it’ll be a good test for United to play against them.

So, Fergie took my hint and rested Ronnie for the FA Cup game. So presumably the boy from Madeira will be fresh as a daisy on Wednesday. A note of worry however is that Rio got injured after 40 minutes at Craven Cottage and is a doubt for Inter on Wednesday. Of course, Jonny Evans can stand in, preferebly we’d have Rio playing but Evans showed what he can do at San Siro.

As I said, this is a short post so I’m gonna end it with some intriguing tidbits I found on my travels;
Over at TEAMtalk, Simon Welkes thinks that Fergie should retire if United win the Quintuple, to be replaced by one man, and one man only.
While over at the Guardian, Sir Alex thinks that Internazionale will play for penalties.

He could be right. Until next time (either tomorrow or Wednesday), peace out!