Manchester United must keep hold of Nani

In a season where Manchester United have had no Zing on their Wing, out-of-favour winger Nani has been statistically better than both Valencia and Young.

Luis Carlos Almeida Da Cunha, also widely known as Nani, was signed by Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2007. He arrived alongside Porto’s Anderson in a combined deal worth £32m. However injuries, inconsistency and the shadow of Ronaldo looming large over his head have had an adverse effect on his performances.

Brought in as a replacement for the ageing Ryan Giggs, it seems like Nani is closer to the end of his career at Manchester United than the Welshman, who continues to tear defenses apart while running down the left wing at the age of 40.

Nani had a quiet 2 years at Old Trafford between 2007 and 2009, where he didn’t start in either of the Champions League Finals. He did show glimpses of what to expect, but mostly his form was erratic and inconsistent much like Ronaldo’s early years at United. His form did improve in the tail end of the 2009-10 season and he earned himself a new contract (particularly due to a splendid solo performance against Bayern at Old Trafford).

2010-11 was a defining year for both Nani and Manchester United. The Portuguese reached double figures in goals (10) and assists (14) and was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year. He was also named as the Players’ “Player of the Year” at the year-end awards ceremony at Old Trafford. Manchester United won their 19th League title and went past Liverpool’s tally. But much to Nani’s surprise and everyone’s shock, Valencia was preferred to him in the Champions League Final against Barcelona.

Nani didn’t let that affect his performances and started the next season on fire, but an in-form and fresh Valencia who returned from injury took his place in the starting line up at the tail end of the season and also replaced Nani by being crowned as Manchester United’s “Player of the Year”.

But having been given the legendary number 7 jersey this season, Valencia has flattered to deceive and his form has been atrocious to say the least. Ashley Young too has failed to bring his Villa form to Old Trafford, and has regressed in his second season at the club mainly due to recurring niggles and injuries that have prevented him from getting a consistent run in the side.

Manchester United have been known for having flying wingers and have traditionally attacked down the flanks. But this year, for some reason, all their wide-men have fluffed their lines, which has resulted in Welbeck, Kagawa and Rooney at times having to fill in in the wide areas.

Nani too has failed to put in a string of consistent performances this season. His contract issues, punching reserve team captain Davide Petrucci, being publicly criticized by the gaffer for giving the ball away in the League Cup defeat at Chelsea, have proved to be an unwanted distraction. All these signs must surely point towards the Old Trafford exit.

But I in particular think that Nani must be given another chance and must stay at Manchester United.

Manchester United have offered him a new contract worth £90,000 a week (same amount that he currently earns). But Nani’s advisors want something around £125,000 a week.

Nani must know that his form hasn’t been particularly great to demand such kind of wages and he doesn’t have a lot of options on the table too (Zenit were priced out of a move due to his wage demands). Manchester United too may only get around 10-15 million for an unhappy winger who is in the last year of his contract. In the current climate, there are not a lot of world class wingers on £90,000 a week whom Manchester United can buy for around £15 million, so a transfer seems a lose-lose situation for both the parties.

Talk of James Rodriguez might be too overboard and he could just end up as another Nico Gaitan. The Columbian dubbed as the “South American Ronaldo” is worth around 36m pounds, or atleast that’s what his release clause says. Rodriguez is in his 3rd season at Porto and looks more of a wide forward who scores goals, as his lack of assists shows. Question marks could also be raised as to whether he would fit into Manchester United’s style of wing-play where they rely on their wide men whipping in dangerous crosses into the box.

Paying £36m for a player not playing in one of the top leagues may prove to be a risk. With United already having acquired the services of Zaha, fans will clearly state that the money be saved up to buy a quality central midfielder that United desperately need. Keeping Nani would not only save United the extra £20m in transfer fee but also a few million in wages.

What is your opinion? Does Manchester United need a new winger or should Nani be given a last chance to save his Old Trafford career?