Rafael Suanes – US Presswire
As Nani picked up the ball on Wednesday evening to take Manchester United’s second penalty in two games, there was suddenly a bemused whisper around Old Trafford. You could hear each individual fan ask themself, “Really? Him?” Of course, all would have been instantly forgiven had he slotted the ball home to help confirm United’s first three points of this year’s Champions League.
But instead, his effort was saved and a rousing chant for Robin van Persie immediately commenced. It was as if the crowd was reminding the winger that his Dutch counterpart was also on the field and was probably the better candidate to smash home the spot kick.
But what really drew contention from the home support was the way in which Nani missed. A delayed run-up and arrogant check to see if the keeper had moved was followed by a tame stroke of his right boot that Galatasary’s number one could have easily volleyed to safety.
The Red Devil’s 1-0 victory covered up another poor performance in Europe by Sir Alex Ferguson’s men but it didn’t save more murmurs of discontent toward the club’s number 17.
Nani has long promised that he would follow Cristiano Ronaldo’s path and become a United legend. The Real Madrid striker’s name was sung umpteen times on Wednesday evening in recognition for his demolition of Manchester City the previous night, whilst Nani’s participation has never come close to inducing repeated vocal admiration from the waiting contingent.
Over the last six or nine months there has been a rapid decline in his performances. Yes, injury meant that he missed two months of the championship run-in last season and there were flashes of brilliance that saw him score against Aston Villa and Everton as the campaign dwindled. And let’s not forget at the start of 2011/12 he finally looked like he was capable of achieving the greatness he preaches about continuously.
But these goals only hide the fact that he often goes missing in big games, hasn’t performed admirably away from home in months and falls to the ground way too easily.
Now there is a growing feeling from fans that his presence actually hinders the team and his time is up.
United’s two other recognised wingers, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young, are more direct players who use their speed, strength, and guile to take the ball to the by-line and then deliver it to the eager centre-forwards in the penalty area. Nani, on the other hand, is a much more patient individual who waits for a defender to commit himself before looking to pass him. But in doing this he delays the game to a crawling pace that restricts United’s rhythm.
Whilst his final ball also has the potential to be devastating his unpredictability causes his fellow Reds to exist in a footballing purgatory as they wait to time their runs for his delivery.
The likes of Paul Scholes, van Persie, Wayne Rooney, and Shinji Kagawa excel in a fast paced environment that almost no defender in the world can contend with, and Nani simply does not beget this surrounding.
But without him what can United do? Could Kagawa move to the left-wing position and take up a David Silva role at the club with Rooney moving behind van Persie once he regains his fitness? Or are Valencia and Young now United’s first-choice wingers? Or will Nani finally deliver on his promise and provide consistently quality performances rather than the stuttering smidgeons of genius that we are used to?
If so, missing a penalty against the Turkish champions wasn’t the greatest way to start.
