COMMENT: The Red Devils have been told they have no
chance of cutting short the winger's loan spell at Sporting and bringing
him back to Old Trafford - and that is no bad thing
Of all the moments, both brilliant and baffling, that Nani produced in his seven years with Manchester United, one in particular sums up his time at Old Trafford. It was the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona in 2008, on one of the most famous night's in the club's recent history.
"This is a real chance if Nani can get this right", United commentator Stewart Gardner said, hopefully. Gifted the ball well inside his own half, and with United now playing on the counter after Paul Scholes' opener, the Portuguese took flight, temporarily shrugging off the attentions of Deco around the halfway line to get a clear run at Barca's exposed backline. He continued, full pelt, until he got to the edge of the area, when he jinked outside, inside, and outside again to get rid of Deco and Eric Abidal. After running a good 80 yards he was now inside the box, with a clear sight of Victor Valdes. He drew his foot back and lashed the ball a good 20 yards over the crossbar and into the Stretford End.
The blistering pace and dazzling skill promised so much at first but, ultimately, Nani was a let-down.
The fact that he was sent back to Sporting this summer, as part of the Marcos Rojo move and with his wages paid in full by United, lays bare how much the club are paying for such little yield. Nobody else wanted him.
Many had expected him to be sold by David Moyes last summer following another disappointing and injury-hit campaign under Sir Alex Ferguson. But just two days after United's farcical transfer deadline dealings last September, it was announced he would be staying another five years. It beggared belief.
The less said about last season the better (he scored once and assisted none in 13 games), and when Louis van Gaal came in demanding his wide men track back and work as wing-backs it was the end of the road, and not before time.
But with a loan move the best the club could do, and with Van Gaal having moved away from the 3-5-2 formation so quickly, there somehow remained a possibility that Nani could once again pull on a United shirt.
The club enquired about the possibility of bringing him back to Old Trafford later this season, but have been told in no uncertain terms that that is not an option.
Sporting may be fourth and eight points behind Liga Sagres leaders Porto, but Nani has certainly made a mark in Portugal. He has created 21 chances from open play in 11 matches - the second highest in the division behind Benfica's Nico Gaitan. Two goals and three assists have hardly set the world alight but for a man rebuilding his career, and after scoring one Premier League goal in his last two seasons in England, it is progress which cannot be sniffed at.
But it is surely his performances in the Champions League which have caught the eye at Old Trafford, and it is no stretch to say he has been one of the competition's finest players this season. He has scored four goals in five matches, setting up two more and creating 14 chances from open play - which is the third highest behind Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema.
His goal against Maribor on match day five hinted that he might have even found some composure. After his first shot was blocked, he twisted and turned inside the area, sitting desperate defenders on their backside as he did so, before firing into the back of the net.
He has been in such good form, in fact, that for the first time in years an injury of his will be a big blow for his manager. The Portuguese club can seal their place in the Champions League last 16 if they can get at least a draw at Chelsea tonight, or if Maribor can deny Schalke victory, but they will have to do it without Nani after he limped out of the win at Boavista on Friday.
But as integral as he is for Sporting, does he deserve yet another shot at Manchester United? Quite simply, no.
The quality of opponent he has faced this season should be taken into account - his quietest game in the Champions League came against Chelsea, for example - but the deciding factor is surely how many chances he has already had at getting things right at Old Trafford.
His seven years were dotted with false dawns - after three indifferent seasons he was named in the Premier League Team of the Year in his fourth, and even made the Ballon d'Or shortlist a year later - but nobody can say he ever built on all of his promise.
Nani deserves credit for proving his worth beyond Old Trafford so far this season, but Manchester United should not be fooled into bringing him back; they must capitalise on his good form to find a permanent buyer in the summer.
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