Who Was Nani When He Signed for Man Utd?
United paid Sporting Lisbon around £17 million for him in the summer of 2007. This felt huge for a 20-year-old. The timing was key – Cristiano Ronaldo was exploding into superstardom, and here was another young, lightning-fast Portuguese winger arriving from the *exact same club*. The comparisons were instant and, frankly, a bit unfair. Ronaldo was already becoming a goal machine; Nani was raw potential. I remember thinking, "Okay, they've found another one." But the pressure was immense from day one. He wasn't just another signing; he was touted as the next Ronaldo.| Trait | Description | Expectation Level |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Right Wing / Left Wing | Primary wide attacker |
| Key Attributes | Explosive pace, dribbling, flair, powerful shot, acrobatic celebrations | Very High (Comparisons to Ronaldo) |
| Known Weaknesses | Decision making, consistency, final ball | Expected to improve rapidly |
| Shirt Number | 17 | (Previously worn by Henrik Larsson briefly) |
The Rollercoaster Ride: Nani's Manchester United Career Season by Season
Tracking Nani Man Utd years feels like mapping unpredictable weather. Sunshine one minute, thunderstorms the next.Finding His Feet (2007-2009)
His debut season was... okay. He scored a cracker against Spurs on his Premier League debut and a stunning lob at Old Trafford against Middlesbrough. You saw flashes – that incredible flick and volley against Spurs? Wow. But he was in and out of the team, understandably so. Ronaldo was untouchable on the right, and Giggs/Park were dependable on the left. He picked up a Premier League winner's medal and a Champions League medal (though he didn't play in the final), which wasn't a bad start! But was he truly *impacting* games consistently? Not really. It felt like watching someone learn on the job at the highest level.Stepping Up (After Ronaldo Left)
Then Ronaldo left for Madrid in 2009. Suddenly, there was a massive hole on the right wing. This was Nani's big chance. Antonio Valencia arrived too, offering directness and reliability. Initially, Valencia seemed the safer bet. But Nani started the 2009/10 season on fire. He was creating chances, scoring goals – including that ridiculous volley away at Arsenal. He was becoming the main man on the wing. He ended the season with United's Player of the Year award. Finally, it felt like he was fulfilling that potential. The "Nani Man Utd" partnership looked like it was blooming.The Peak (2010/11 Season)
This was probably his best season in a Manchester United shirt. He was electrifying. Remember that goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final first leg? Pure power. His assist numbers went through the roof. He finished the season with **9 goals and 18 assists** in the Premier League alone. He was unplayable at times, genuinely world-class. He was crucial as United won the Premier League title (his 4th) and reached the Champions League final again (losing to Barcelona). Watching him that year, you felt anything could happen when he got the ball. He deservedly made the PFA Team of the Year.Inconsistency Creeps Back (2011-2013)
And then... it dipped again. Injuries didn't help, but even when fit, that incredible consistency from 2010/11 proved hard to sustain. He'd have a game where he'd tear someone apart, then disappear the next week. That red card against Real Madrid in the 2013 Champions League knockout stages? Huge moment, incredibly reckless. Sir Alex Ferguson seemed to lose a bit of patience. His assist numbers dropped significantly (down to 5 in 2011/12, then just 1 in 2012/13). Valencia became the more trusted option for his reliability, even if he lacked Nani's X-factor. You could sense frustration growing – from the fans and maybe even from Nani himself. Was he ever going to be *the* consistent talisman?The Moyes Era & Departure (2013-2015)
Ferguson retired, David Moyes arrived. Nani signed a new 5-year contract right at the start of Moyes' tenure – surprising many given his previous season. But things didn't click under Moyes. He struggled for form and fitness, making only 11 league appearances. When Louis van Gaal took over, Nani was deemed surplus to requirements. He was loaned back to Sporting Lisbon for the 2014/15 season and then sold permanently to Fenerbahce in 2015. It felt like a bit of a whimper after such a bright start and that incredible peak. The "Nani Man United" era ended without him ever quite conquering the inconsistency demon for good.| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Major Trophies Won | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007/08 | 41 | 4 | 8 | Premier League, Champions League | Breakthrough season, flashes of brilliance |
| 2008/09 | 32 | 6 | 9 | Premier League, League Cup, Club World Cup | Solid contributor, more starts |
| 2009/10 | 37 | 7 | 12 | League Cup | Stepped up post-Ronaldo, POTY Award |
| 2010/11 | 49 | 10 | 20 | Premier League | Peak season, PFA Team of the Year |
| 2011/12 | 40 | 10 | 14 | None | Good output but consistency issues returned |
| 2012/13 | 17 | 3 | 5 | Premier League | Injuries and loss of form, infamous red card vs Madrid |
| 2013/14 | 16 | 1 | 3 | None | Struggled under Moyes, new contract then frozen out |
| 2014/15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | None | Loan to Sporting after Van Gaal arrival |
| Total | 233 | 41 | 71 | 4x PL, 1x UCL, 2x LC, 1x CWC, 4x CS |
What Made Nani Special (and Frustrating) at Old Trafford
Thinking about Nani Man Utd memories brings up such a mix of emotions. Let's break it down.The Undeniable Talent - The Magic Moments
* **Explosive Dribbling:** On his day, he could take on and beat anyone. Those quick feet, the sudden burst of acceleration. He could leave full-backs for dead. It was pure excitement. * **Devastating Left Foot:** Forget the stepovers for a second. When he connected cleanly, the power and dip on his shot were fearsome. The Arsenal volley, the strikes against Bayern and Tottenham – unstoppable. * **Creativity & Vision:** At his peak (2010/11), his crossing and cut-backs were genuinely top-class. He knew where teammates were and wasn't afraid to attempt the difficult pass. He racked up assists for fun that season. * **Flair and Entertainment:** He played with joy. The tricks, the flicks, the backheels, the somersault celebrations. Old Trafford loved it when he was on song. He brought a unique kind of electricity.The Flip Side - The Frustrations
* **Maddening Inconsistency:** This is the big one. You never knew which Nani would turn up. World-beater one week, ineffective the next. It drove fans and managers crazy. Why couldn't he do it every week? * **Decision Making & Final Ball:** Sometimes, after doing the hard work beating 3 players, the cross would balloon over everyone or the shot would fly into row Z. That split-second choice between pass, shoot, or dribble often seemed wrong. Too many promising moves died with him. * **Perceived Lack of Toughness:** He seemed to go down easily under challenges, which frustrated fans and referees. This sometimes overshadowed genuine fouls against him. Did he shy away from the physical battle sometimes? It felt like it. * **The Ronaldo Shadow:** This was always there. "Why isn't he like Ronaldo?" was an impossible standard. Maybe the constant comparison affected him unconsciously? Hard to say, but it was a heavy burden.Nani's Legacy in a Nutshell: He provided moments of pure, unadulterated genius that few players in the Premier League era could match. He won major trophies and had a season where he was arguably the best winger in England. But he also left you wanting more, wondering what could have been if he could just have bottled that 2010/11 form for longer. That's the essential "Nani Man Utd" paradox.
Iconic Nani Manchester United Goals and Moments
Certain moments just stick with you. Here are the truly standout Nani Man Utd highlights: * **That Volley vs Arsenal (Jan 2011):** Away at the Emirates. Park clears, Rooney nods it on, and Nani hits the most perfect, dipping volley over Szczesny before anyone even reacts. Technique under pressure was insane. Iconic celebration too. * **The Rocket vs Bayern Munich (Apr 2010):** Champions League quarter-final. Takes a pass from Rafael, cuts inside onto his left foot, and smashes an unstoppable drive past Butt into the top corner. Raw power at the absolute highest level. * **The Backheel Flick & Volley vs Tottenham (Mar 2008):** Incredible improvisation. Heels it over the defender's head and volleys home in one fluid motion. Pure audacity and skill from the youngster. * **The Solo Run & Finish vs Liverpool (Mar 2011):** Picks up the ball near halfway, drives at the heart of their defense, leaves Carragher stumbling, and slots it coolly past Reina. Showed pace, power, and composure all in one. * **The Chip vs Middlesbrough (Oct 2007):** His first Premier League goal at Old Trafford. A delicate, precise lob over the keeper that announced his talent to the home crowd. * **The Assist Masterclass (2010/11 Season):** Not just one moment, but a season of consistently brilliant delivery. His understanding with Rooney and Hernandez was telepathic at times.How Does Nani Rank Among Manchester United Wingers?
Where does Nani Man Utd sit in the pantheon? It's a fascinating debate. Stats-wise, his peak season output (goals + assists) is up there with the best single seasons. But longevity and consistency matter too. Here's how he might stack up against other United wide men of the Premier League era (in terms of overall impact and legacy): 1. **Cristiano Ronaldo:** In a different league altogether. Goalscoring machine evolved from winger to forward. Untouchable at the top. 2. **Ryan Giggs:** The longevity king. Adaptability, intelligence, consistent quality over two decades. A different type of player but immense legacy. 3. **David Beckham:** Unparalleled crossing and set-pieces. Global icon, delivered in huge moments. Less flashy dribbling, more pinpoint delivery. 4. **Andrei Kanchelskis:** Pure, devastating pace and directness. Had a couple of phenomenal goalscoring seasons. Shorter peak than Nani. 5. **Nani:** **Our man.** Higher peak than Kanchelskis in terms of all-round contribution (assists especially), more trophies, but lacked Giggs' longevity and Beckham's consistency. That 2010/11 season carries huge weight. Moments of magic no one else could replicate. 6. **Antonio Valencia:** Mr. Reliable after Ronaldo. Less spectacular, more consistent in his prime (especially defensively). Transformed into a solid right-back. Different profile, valued for different reasons. 7. **Ashley Young:** Similar journey to Valencia later on (winger to full-back). Hard-working, versatile, had some excellent seasons but perhaps less explosive talent than Nani."Nani? On his day, he was the most exciting player to watch at Old Trafford after Ronaldo left. You just *had* to be in your seat when he got the ball. Yeah, he drove you mad sometimes, but those moments… wow. Worth the frustration just for the Arsenal goal alone." - Longtime Season Ticket Holder
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