The incredible rise of Nani

Manchester United’s Portugal winger Nani has been a revelation this season, scoring ten goals and leading the assists table with 13.

Many tipped Sir Alex’s side to struggle after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer of 2009, but since then Nani has filled the void of his fellow compatriot admirably. Equally comfortable on either flank, the tricky wide-man is now generally one of the first names on the team sheets.

Nani’s brilliant rise to becoming United’s mainstay is an incredible success story

Only recently in the Manchester derby, the Portuguese international scored his 8th league goal of the campaign. His lung-busting run through the middle was spotted by another wing wizard, Ryan Giggs. And after being put through on goal, his first touch was sublime and he finished it with aplomb. Even though the goal was brilliant in its own right, that game is forever going to be remembered for one thing and one thing only. What followed was absolutely out of this world, as Wayne Rooney emphasized the old saying that ‘Form is only temporary, but class, sure is permanent’ with an empathic and acrobatic overhead volley that nestled in the top corner.

Everyone is going to remember the goal for the rest of their lives but nobody is ever going to remember who crossed the ball for Rooney to volley home. It was in fact Nani. He was also the man who assisted Dimitar Berbatov when he bicycled in United’s winner against Liverpool, in their 3-2 win earlier this season.

But before Rooney stole the show late on, it was Nani who was the star, bamboozling opponent left-back Pablo Zabaleta by cutting inside him or just going past him on the outside, both with relative ease. The Argentine had no answer as he was given a torrid time by Nani, by first going this way, and then the other. It didn’t help that Zabaleta, naturally right-footed was out-of-position, and wasn’t helped by Aleksandar Kolarov’s forward runs. On numerous occasions, Nani cut inside cleverly and fired shot after shot that fizzed past Joe Hart’s goal.

Nani however will always be compared to compatriot Ronaldo because of their similarities. Their mazy runs, long rangers and fancy tricks are all talking points. But Nani seems to be developing into much more of a team player than Ronaldo was. Where Ronaldo might have looked to cut in and have a shot, Nani often looks to cross or pass. He has perhaps been one of United’s most productive and consistent players this season, along with Nemanja Vidic.

Notice how during the course of the season, not once has the name of United’s other important right-sided winger, Antonio Valencia been mentioned. Nani has obviously been enjoying his time on the right of United’s midfield as the Ecuadorian recuperates from injury. Valencia maybe a forgotten man but he still is a direct, no-frills kind of player and it isn’t any coincidence that Nani has not only become much more direct in his play but has also cut out the theatrics since Valencia’s arrival. He’s not only competing with Valencia, he’s learning and drawing motivation from him.

Nani seems to get more joy on the right, being more inclined to go on the outside (as well as cutting infield to shoot with his left), whereas he doesn’t seem to go outside towards the byline on the left so much, almost always cutting in to shoot with the right foot. Every United fan keenly awaits the return of Antonio Valencia. But with Valencia being predominantly an extremely effective right touchline hugger, can United take the ever maturing Nani away from his most natural position?

For the moment though, Nani is capable of being one of the best in the business.