Did Nani Deserve His New Contract?
For the last year, Nani has been the forgotten man at Old Trafford. It seemed that Sir Alex Ferguson had given him enough chances and that this summer he’d be on way out of Manchester.#Rumours circulated that Roma were highly interested in signing the winger, before all of a sudden it was being reported that he had signed a new five year deal. The Portugal international later said that David Moyes’ had persuaded him to extend his United stay but will it be a move that pays off?
Last season Nani made just 11 league appearances and his form was hardly another to shout home about. He scored just once and created just two and the player who was meant to be the Cristiano Ronaldo replacement was often resigned to the bench.
Injuries have not helped his progress but he has often flattered to deceive and his show pony tricks did not go down well with the former boss. But Moyes has obviously seen something in training and must think that he can rejuvenate Nani.
United fans who support the new contract will point towards his form during the 2010-2011 season. He was in fine form scoring ten goals as well as contributing more assists then anyone in the premier league that season, 18. He started the next season well but his form has since tailed off.
With United currently lacking a creative spark, Nani is as close of a ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’ type player the red devils possess. On his day he can be unstoppable with a shot to rival his Portuguese team mate but whilst Ronaldo produces it daily, Nani lacks the consistency to be a top player.
If that consistency is found, he could be the perfect foil for both Rooney and van Persie. If United fans are honest, van Persie effectively won the league last year. Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and of course Nani, were hardly setting the world alight, but if Nani can find the form of three seasons ago then Moyes will have found a gem in the rough without having to spend a penny.
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