Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha (Nani)

[drivemein]

When Nani plays like this, there is no need to mourn Ronaldo's departure
-guardian.co.uk-



Manchester United's breathtaking football, inspired by Nani and Wayne Rooney, left Arsenal with nowhere to hide.

Sometimes there are moments when the football is so exquisite it can have therapeutic qualities. There are so many issues surrounding Manchester United's finances right now that being a supporter of the club almost requires an economics degree to understand what is going on, but then there are the times when, temporarily at least, all that seems to matter is that moment of brilliance on the pitch.

This was the most exhilarating performance of the season from the champions, and it is becoming a habit on this ground when you think back to the devastating way they turned on the style in the Champions League semi-final in April. Sir Alex Ferguson's side played with width and penetration, flair and imagination, and they counter-attacked with a speed that was devastating.

In other words, they took on Arsenal at their own game and on their own manor – and they dismantled them so clinically there was a startling sense of deja vu from that encounter here nine months ago.

Arsenal will plead mitigating circumstances. They will cite the injury problems that have left them with so few attackers and, if they are desperate, they may linger on there being an element of good fortune attached to the opening goal. The Dubious Goals Panel – or maybe the Dubious Goalkeepers' Panel – will have to decide whether it should belong to Nani or be attributed to Manuel Almunia, though it would be harsh in the extreme if the Portuguese finds it chalked off given the way he had danced, shimmied and sidestepped his way past three Arsenal defenders. As flukes go it is difficult to think of one sugar-coated with so much skill, balance and poise.

We have been here before with Nani, of course, and the lesson of history is that nobody should start shouting from the rooftops that, finally, all that potential we have heard about will now be unleashed. What we can say for certain, however, is that when Nani plays like this there is no need for anybody at Old Trafford to continue mourning Cristiano Ronaldo's departure.

The problem is that these kind of performances have become the exception rather than the norm, and his renaissance over the past few weeks has been an unexpected one given the way he has laboured this season and, in the worst moments, been in danger of becoming the player the club's supporters distrust the most.

On this occasion, though, he seemed invigorated by the stardust he had sprinkled over the match with that 33rd-minute goal. It was a demonstration of wing play at its finest and, of all the concerns for Arsène Wenger, it must have been particularly galling to see the way his left-back, Gaël Clichy, could not cope.

Martin O'Neill, the Aston Villa manager, had made a point of identifying how Ashley Young menaced Clichy when the two sides met last week. Now it was Nani's turn to take the baton and he did so with a panache that adds to the lingering frustration that his talents can be so erratic.

The accolades for Nani stand out because of the frequency with which he has bewildered crowds but this was one of those rare days when, for United, everything seemed to click. Wayne Rooney, once again, looked at the point of maximum expression. Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick were spraying passes around as if there was a computer chip in their boots. Darren Fletcher, derided by Wenger as "anti-football" when these sides met at Old Trafford in August, proved his point.

It was football of butterfly-beauty at times, the pièce de résistance delivered in the form of an extraordinary break from one side of the pitch to the other for the second goal – Park Ji-sung to Rooney to Nani and then the first-time finish for a goal of breathtaking speed and quality. Rooney had sprinted 70 metres to take Nani's return pass and, once again, the mind flashed back to April and that superb breakaway goal Ronaldo scored, originating from an Arsenal corner, to make it 3‑0.

There have been plenty of times this season – justifiably – when spectators have watched United and come away thinking how much they miss Ronaldo's wow factor. But not today.

[drivemein]

Fergie: They all want Nani to play, they think he’s fantastic
-strettyender.com-



Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that the rest of his Manchester united players all want to see Nani on the pitch every game.

The Portuguese winger has been in blistering form recently and put in another excellent performance today, contributing to both of Manchester United’s first half goals.

Ferguson told MUTV what the players think of Nani now that he’s matured into a consistent performer.

“It’s amazing, when you talk to the players they all want him to play, they all think he’s fantastic and now we get consistency and maturity out of him I think we’ve got a really good player.

“The boy has come back. He had an injury and he’s been freshened up and his last three games have been first class and today was his best.

“Maturity is one thing as he’s 23 now, he’s a very shy boy there’s no question about that. It’s a question of getting stronger and better to deal with playing for us every week. And today is an example of that maturity.”

[hendiplast]

Nani Bagus, Ferguson Pusing



MANCHESTER, KOMPAS.com — Pelatih Manchester United Alex Ferguson mengaku puas dengan kemajuan performa pemain sayap kanan Nani. Namun, Ferguson mengaku akan tetap kesulitan memberinya jatah reguler karena Antonio Valencia, yang juga beroperasi di sektor kanan, tak bisa disampingkan begitu saja.

Awal-awal musim ini, Ferguson sering menjadikan Nani cadangan. Namun, meski kecewa dan sempat mengancam ingin hengkang, Nani tetap berlatih dan berusaha tampil optimal ketika diberikan peran kecil pada sejumlah laga.

Ketika Ferguson memberinya kesempatan bermain sebagai starter pada Burnley di pentas Premier League, 16 Januari silam, Nani menjawabnya dengan penampilan memuaskan. Selanjutnya, Ferguson memainkannya sejak menit awal dan Nani selalu menjawabnya dengan performa menawan.

Penampilan terbaiknya terjadi pada duel versus Arsenal saat pentas Premier League, Minggu (31/1/2010). Saat itu, ia berperan penting atas dua gol pertama MU, yang berujung kemenangan 3-1. Ferguson yang berencana menurunkan Valencia, sebagai starter pada duel versus Portsmouth, akhir pekan ini pun terpaksa mempertimbangkan niatnya kembali.

"(Performa) Nani semakin mapan dan ia semakin dewasa. Ia sempat cukup kekanak-kanakan saat darang ke klub ini. Namun, Anda sedang melihat kemajuannya sekarang. Ia adalah anak yang pemalu dan Anda berharap, duel seperti saat melawan Arsenal akan memberinya kepercayaan untuk meyakini bahwa ia adalah pemain United," ungkap Ferguson.

"Kami semua senang dengannya. Sangat luar biasa ketika Anda bicara dengan pemain. Mereka berpikir bahwa ia fantastis dan mereka menginginkannya bermain. Sekarang, kami mendapatkan sikap konsistenan darinya. Ini membuat saya harus serius memilih antara Nani dan Antonio Valencia," tandasnya.

Sepanjang Premier League musim ini, Nani baru bermain sebagai starter sebanyak sembilan kali dari total sebelas laga. Tercatat, ia telah mencetak satu gol dan tiga assist. (SUN)

[zudomiriku]

Nani Makin 'Pe-de' di United


Bola.net - Winger Manchester United asal Portugal, Nani, makin percaya diri setelah bermain impresif dan dinobatkan sebagai man of the match saat Setan Merah mengalahkan Arsenal 1-3 di Emirates Stadium.

Nani yang ditransfer Manchester United dari Sporting Lisbon seharga 17,3 juta pounds itu menjadi bayang-bayang Cristiano Ronaldo selama dua tahun di Old Trafford bahkan sempat dikabarkan akan dijual seiring dengan perseteruannya dengan pelatih Sir Alex Ferguson.

Namun Ferguson tampaknya sudah mulai melupakan periode buruk Nani dan mulai memberi kepercayaan kepada pemain berusia 23 tahun itu.

"Manajer telah memberiku kepercayaan diri. Aku mendapat lebih banyak waktu di lapangan dan itu memberiku kepercayaan diri," ujar Nani seperti dilansir Mirror Football.

"Aku tahu aku bisa melakukan yang terbaik untuk tim. Kami percaya bisa menjuarai liga dan melalui musim yang sukses," lanjutnya.

"Saat melawan Arsenal adalah permainan terbaikku dan aku harap hasil itu bisa lebih baik lagi di pertandingan berikutnya,"

Sir Alex Ferguson memuji Nani sebagai pemain yang mulai matang meski sempat lama menjadi pemain cadangan di skuad Setan Merah.

"Itu adalah penampilan terbaik Nani bersama United. Dia bermain luar biasa. Dia lebih tenang dan matang, padahal dia masih muda,"

"Semua pemain ingin dia bermain. Menurut mereka dia adalah pemain fantastis. Kami mulai mendapatkan konsistensi dari Nani. Kami memiliki pemain yang benar-benar bagus," pungkas Ferguson.

[hendiplast]

Ferguson looking for Nani consistency



Patience has proved to be a virtue for Sir Alex Ferguson following Nani's devastating performances for Manchester United over the past fortnight.

Brought to Old Trafford in 2007 for more money than it took to secure the services of Cristiano Ronaldo from the same Sporting Lisbon source, apart from a few sporadic performances and a couple of eye-catching goals, Nani has failed to convince.

The critical voices have become louder in more recent times, to the point of ridicule by some, and it would have been no surprise if Ferguson had decided to sell the Portugal wide-man during last month's transfer window.

Instead, Ferguson remained faithful to the 23-year-old. His reward has been staggering.

First, Nani ran Hull ragged at Old Trafford. Then he provided the impetus for United's Carling Cup semi-final triumph over Manchester City.

Yet even those performances were eclipsed by a mesmeric display against Arsenal last weekend that will stand comparison with any individual performance in the Premier League this season.

The piece of skill that led to the visitors' opener would have brought admiring gasps from Ronaldo himself, while he was central to Wayne Rooney's effort shortly afterwards which was very similar to the goal United scored at the other end of the same stadium last season to seal a place in the Champions League final.

While it would be tempting to simply claim Nani has stepped out of Ronaldo's shadow, Ferguson does not believe that is the case.

The Scot does think the adjustment to life at Old Trafford, that has been too much for some top quality players - Diego Forlan is a prime example - has just taken a long time for one of United's quiet men.

Ronaldo influence

"I don't think he was overshadowed by Ronaldo. It was just a question of maturity," said Ferguson.

"Nani was young when he came here and he is quite a shy boy.

"Some players can adjust to coming to another country and joining Manchester United very easily.

"In the past, others have taken time. Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic came to us in the January but it was nearly a year before they hit the form we see in them now. Nani is much the same."

A recent spell on the sidelines may have caused the penny to drop.

If Nani had seen United labour in attack, he would have known pace, getting defenders onto the back foot and early crosses have been conspicuous by their absence.

He was capable of all three aspects. He just had not delivered them.

"Maybe watching has been the best thing for him," said Ferguson.

"He has shown maturity in his last three games, which we always felt was the key.

"The assets have always been there. What we have looked for is consistency.

"We are pleased for him because when he is in that kind of form he is a great addition for us and everyone saw the influence he had on the game on Sunday."

[RedRob]

sungguh sangat senang melihat perkembangan Nani... gile ye, gw rasa doi diruqiyah tuh waktu di qatar sampe setan2nya keluar semua.. hehehe...

goodluck lad, mudah2an makin matang dan berkontribusi maksimal buat United...

[hendiplast]

Nani Yakin Jadi Terbaik Dunia
Narayana Mahendra Prastya - detiksport



Manchester - Nani mengatakan dirinya memiliki kepribadian yang kuat. Sikap ini membuatnya bisa melalui masa suram di Manchester United. Nani optimistis, suatu hari sikap itu akan membawanya jadi terbaik dunia.

Musim ini Nani pernah mengalami masa suram di Old Trafford dengan tidak menjadi pilihan utama. Bahkan beberapa kali pemain asal Portugal itu diberitakan berseteru dengan manajer Sir Alex Ferguson.

"Saya tidak pernah ingin hengkang dari MU. Siapa pun bakal mengalami berada di titik terendah, segalanya berjalan dengan buruk, dan merasa sendirian. Namun saya tak pernah ingin pergi dan kembali ke Portugal," tukas Nani kepada Manchester Evening News.

"Saya pernah berada di posisi yang buruk dan tidak mudah untuk bangkit lagi. Jelas, kepercayaan diri saya terpengaruh. Namun saya sudah membuktikan saya tidak mudah untuk patah arang," tandas pemain berusia 23 tahun itu.

Sikap Nani telah membawanya kembali bangkit. Pemain bernomor punggung 17 itu mengatakan bahwa karakternya yang kuat adalah "penolong"-nya.

"Saya punya kepribadian yang kuat. Jika tidak memiliki karakter kuat, jelas siapa pun akan mudah jatuh. Saya bukan orang seperti itu. Saya yakin dengan kualitas ini saya bisa menjadi salah satu pemain terbaik dunia. Saya yakin bisa mencapainya," tutup Nani.

( nar / arp )

[rooney]

Nani Diusir, MU Ditahan Villa
Arya Perdhana - detiksport


AFP/Andrew Yates

Birmingham - Manchester United gagal memenuhi targetnya membalas kekalahan dari Aston Villa. Diwarnai kartu merah untuk Nani, laga Villa kontra MU berkesudahan imbang 1-1.

MU datang ke Stadion Villa Park, Kamis (11/2/2010) dinihari WIB, dengan target membalas kekalahan 0-1 yang mereka derita di kandang sendiri, medio Desember tahun lalu.

Namun justru Villa yang unggul terlebih dahulu melalui tandukan Carlos Cuellar. MU akhirnya menyamakan skor menjadi 1-1 lewat gol bunuh diri bek Villa, James Collins.

Hasil ini membuat MU gagal melompati Chelsea di puncak klasemen Liga Inggris. Dengan nilai 57, The Red Devils tertinggal satu angka di belakang Chelsea yang juga tengah bermain menghadapi Everton.

Jalannya pertandingan
MU mengawali pertandingan dengan cukup apik. Di menit kedelapan, satu tendangan bebas Nani berbelok arah karena membentur bek Villa dan itu memaksa kiper Brad Friedel beraksi menepis bola keluar.

Lima menit kemudian, giliran Villa yang memetik peluang. Dari tendangan bebas, Cuellar menanduk bola sembari membelakangi gawang, tapi bola melayang di atas mistar MU.

Villa lalu memecah kebuntuan di menit 19. Tandukan Cuellar dari dalam kotak penalti menembus sudut kanan atas jala gawang MU yang dikiperi Edwin van der Sar, 1-0 buat Villa.

Namun kegembiraan Villla cuma bertahan empat menit setelah James Collins mencetak gol bunuh diri. Gol bunuh diri terjadi karena Collins membelokkan bola tendangan Ryan Giggs.

Saat laga berusia sekitar setengah jam, MU harus kehilangan Nani yang diusir wasit. Kartu merah diberikan wasit Martin Walton karena gelandang Portugal itu melakukan tekel berbahaya kepada Stiliyan Petrov.

Walau bermain dengan 10 orang, MU tetap berupaya tampil ofensif. Di menit 35, tendangan Michael Carrick menyambut tendangan sudut Giggs masih bisa ditepis Friedel.

Tujuh menit babak kedua berjalan, MU kembali memperoleh peluang. Namun tendangan Antonio Valencia dari dalam kotak penalti melayang tinggi dan 'Setan Merah' pun gagal lagi.

Kelengahan pertahanan MU nyaris berbuah petaka. Di menit 58, James Milner menguasai bola di dalam kotak penalti MU, tapi tembakan mendatarnya masih bisa dijinakkan Van Der Sar sembari menjatuhkan diri.

Friedel menyelamatkan gawang Villa dari serbuan Rooney di menit 75. Tendangan voli Roo dari luar kotak penalti hampir saja masuk andai Friedel tidak melompat dan men-tip bola ke udara.

Di menit terakhir pertandingan, Villa hampir saja bisa mencetak gol kemenangan. Sebuah tendangan bebas Gabriel Agbonlahor tidak dapat ditangkap dengan sempurna oleh Van Der Sar, tapi sebelum pemain Villa merebut bola, Van Der Sar sigap merebut bola lagi.

Skor 1-1 ini pun akhirnya bertahan hingga wasit meniup peluit panjang tanda berakhirnya pertandingan.

Susunan pemain
Villa: Friedel; Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, L. Young; Milner, Petrov (Sidwell 65), Delph (Carew 59), Downing, A. Young; Agbonlahor

MU: Van Der Sar; Rafael, Evans, Brown, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Scholes (Valencia 46), Fletcher, Giggs (Berbatov 74); Rooney ( arp / nar )

[rooney]

Fergie Setuju dengan Kartu Merah Nani
Fajar Pratama - detiksport


Reuters

Birmingham - Dikeluarkannya Nani di menit 29 berperan banyak bagi kegagalan Manchester United meraih kemenangan dari Aston Villa. Meski mengamini hal tersebut, manajer Sir Alex Ferguson setuju atas kartu merah itu.

Melawat ke Villa Park, Kamis (11/2/2010) dinihari WIB, MU yang sangat mengagendakan tiga angka untuk dapat mencuri peluang menggeser Chelsea di puncak klasemen harus menerima kenyataan hasil seri 1-1.

Masing-masing satu gol bagi kedua kubu tersebut memang sudah tercipta ketika Nani dikeluarkan ketika saat berjalan belum genap setengah jam. Namun insiden itu tetap saja dituding menjadi kambing hitam dari tertahannya 'Setan Merah' yang sebelumnya membukukan empat kemenangan meyakinkan secara beruntun.

Hal tersebut tidak lepas dari dininya waktu kartu merah dikeluarkan. Selama satu jam lebih bermain dengan 10 pemain jelas sangat menyulitkan MU.

Meski begitu Fergie menganggap keputusan wasit Peter Walton cukup tepat. Tekel dua kaki Nandi dinilainya layak mendapatkan kartu merah secara langsung.

"Benar itu kartu merah. Dia melakukan dengan kedua kakinya dan Anda tidak boleh melakukan itu," tutur Fergie seperti diwartakan Sky Sports.

"Itu merupakan tekel yang cukup naif. Dia bukanlah pemain yang berbahaya seperti yang kita tahu, tapi tetapi saja dia tidak memberi wasit pilihan lain," sambungnya.

Namun di sisi lain Fergie yang dikenal sering tidak sepakat dengan keputusan wasit yang merugikan timnnya itu, juga memprotes keputusan Walton pada insiden itu. Lho?

"Hal yang konyol adalah kami merasa (seharusnya mendapat pelanggaran) untuk kedua kalinya saat Gabriel Agbonlahor mengangkat kakinya ke arah Wes Brown. Kami tidak mendapatkan pelanggaran, dan bola mengalir kepada Nani yang kemudian melakukan tekel. Saya khawatir itu merupakan nasib buruk bagi kami."

[Oncy]

Maklumlah bukan pemain yg memang handal dlm tackle... Yg pasti Nani bkn tipikal pemain yg pencedera lawan.. Tp memang disayangkan, Nani sdg membutuhkan jam main yg banyak utk konsistensi permiananya yg sdg menanjak.. Hope ke can deal with it very well, dan sbg pembelajaran dan trigger utk lbh baik lg, I have faith on him...