Nani
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| Luis Nani |
Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha (born 17 November 1986 in Praia, Cape Verde), better known as Nani, is a Portuguese footballer who currently plays for Manchester United and Portugal. His predominant position is as a winger.
Portuguese Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha (or ‘Nani’ as we all know him) is a powerful and pacy winger. He arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon in 2007 and, predictably, was given the tag of being ‘the new Cristiano Ronaldo’.
It was perhaps an unfair burden to carry given the heights Ronaldo scaled at United, not least because realistically they are quite different players.
It was until Nani's countryman left for pastures new that he really began to fulfil his undoubted potential and stepped out of Ronaldo's shadow. The 2009/10 campaign, the season after United's former no.7 joined Real Madrid, was meant to be the
It was perhaps an unfair burden to carry given the heights Ronaldo scaled at United, not least because realistically they are quite different players.
It was until Nani's countryman left for pastures new that he really began to fulfil his undoubted potential and stepped out of Ronaldo's shadow. The 2009/10 campaign, the season after United's former no.7 joined Real Madrid, was meant to be the
moment Nani stepped to the fore. But his sporadic involvement, partly due to injury, in the first half of the season led many outside the club to speculate about his future at Old Trafford.
Nevertheless, Nani returned to action in January 2010 and put together a string of hugely impressive displays - and chipped in with some vital goals - to win over fans and pundit alike and partly reward the faith Sir Alex had shown in him. The United boss highlighted an increased maturity in the Reds' no.17 and his blossoming personality. Having not long turned 23, it seemed fair to suggest that the inconsistency that at times frustrated fans earlier in his career was a by-product of youth.
It's important to note that Nani is an all-together different player to Ronaldo. He is an out-and-out winger, his major strength being his ability to cross the ball into dangerous areas - at which it can be said he outshines his former team-mate - where as Ronaldo was more a marauding forward, intent on scoring goals rather than making them. Another valuable asset is his versatility. He can play on either flank, although his crossing remains most effective when he operates on the right wing, and he has the skill, pace and shooting power to be a threat when cutting back infield.
Nevertheless, Nani returned to action in January 2010 and put together a string of hugely impressive displays - and chipped in with some vital goals - to win over fans and pundit alike and partly reward the faith Sir Alex had shown in him. The United boss highlighted an increased maturity in the Reds' no.17 and his blossoming personality. Having not long turned 23, it seemed fair to suggest that the inconsistency that at times frustrated fans earlier in his career was a by-product of youth.
It's important to note that Nani is an all-together different player to Ronaldo. He is an out-and-out winger, his major strength being his ability to cross the ball into dangerous areas - at which it can be said he outshines his former team-mate - where as Ronaldo was more a marauding forward, intent on scoring goals rather than making them. Another valuable asset is his versatility. He can play on either flank, although his crossing remains most effective when he operates on the right wing, and he has the skill, pace and shooting power to be a threat when cutting back infield.
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