Ferguson ponders selling Nani to Italian club

Sir Alex Ferguson is weighing up selling winger Nani to Italy this summer.

The Manchester Evening News says Italian giants Inter Milan and Juventus are set to go head-to-head in a bid to land the 24-year-old Portuguese winger.

Inter hold the ace in the battle of the Serie A clubs knowing that the Reds are keen to make Wesley Sneijder their big name import during the close season.

Securing the services of the Dutch playmaker and using Nani as bait plus £10million would be sound business.

However, Juventus are planning a £100m-plus squad rebuild and coach Antonio Conte sees Nani as a £25m injection to reinvigorate the Old Lady.

Man Utd willing to sell Nani to Real Madrid

Nani's future is in doubt at Man Utd.

The Sunday Mirror says the Portuguese winger is unhappy that United have ­refused to offer him an ­improvement on the £70,000-a-week contract ­extension that he signed last March.

And with United set to ­complete the ­£15million ­signing of Ashley Young from Aston Villa now that the winger has ­returned from ­international duty with England, Sir Alex ­Ferguson could cash in on the 24-year-old if Real Madrid firm up interest in him by lodging a bid.

Nani was ­bitterly disappointed that ­Ferguson left him out of his team to face ­Barcelona in the ­Champions League last week at the end of a ­season which saw him named United’s Player of the Year.

Ferguson opted for the ­industry of Antonio Valencia and Ji-sung Park on the flanks instead of the creativity of the Portuguese international.

Nani has found himself ­increasingly marginalised on the substitutes’ bench since Valencia returned to full ­fitness following an horrific broken leg he suffered early in the season.

United value Nani at £40m.

Nani and Chicharito win Manchester United Player of the Year awards!

Nani and Javier Hernandez have picked up Manchester United's Player of the Year awards.

Portugal international Nani won the club's Players' Player of the Year prize after scoring nine goals and setting up a further 18 in the Premier League this season, helping the club to a record 19th title.

Rio Ferdinand was quick to congratulate his team-mate onTwitter, revealing that he had voted for the former Sporting Lisbon man.

“I voted for Nani for my player of the year, 18 assists+about 10goals speaks for itself! Well done @luisnani on players player of year award!,” Ferdinand wrote.

Nani has found greater consistency than in previous campaigns, a factor he alluded to when picking up his honour.

“This has been my most consistent season for United,” said the 24-year-old, who almost beat Hernandez to the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award, which is voted for by fans, but fell just one per cent short in the vote.

“Every year I’ve been here I have improved and this one was fantastic for me. I created a lot of goals and scored more than last season, so I’m very happy. I hope to do even better next season.”

Hernandez won his award after a debut season in which he notched 13 Premier League goals, with highlights being his first-minute opener against title rivals Chelsea and an audacious header away at Stoke City.

The Mexican picked up 21% of the vote, and said upon receiving his award: "I dreamt about playing for Manchester United and thought perhaps in my first season I’d play for the Reserves with maybe a few minutes in the first team. But thanks to the boss and all my team-mates I have played a little bit more!”

Upon news of the youngster’s success, Ferdinand tweeted: “Chicharito won fans player of the year...fully deserved, has fitted in so well here + scored many vital goals. Huge future!”

Other award winners on the night were Ryan Tunnicliffe, who picked up the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year for helping United to the Youth Cup Final, and Oliver Gill, who received the title of Reserve Player of the Year 2011.

Mourinho assigning super agent, Mendes to land Man Utd star Nani

Real Madrid are being linked with winger Nani.

Gazzetta dello Sport says Real boss Mourinho has his eye on the Portuguese wide man and will ask super agent Jorge Mendes - who also represents Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo - to push through the deal.

Mendes has done many deals with Portuguese-based players and United, having overseen the deals that first brought Ronaldo, Nani and Anderson to Old Trafford.

He also engineered Ronaldo's record £80m switch to Real from Manchester United in 2009 and Mourinho is now hoping he can capture Nani for him.

Inter Milan demand Man Utd include Nani in any Sneijder offer!!

Inter Milan are insisting Nani be included in any offer from Manchester United for Wesley Sneijder.

United boss Sir Alex wants to bring the Dutchman to Old Trafford as a replacement for veteran midfielder Paul Scholes.

Sneijder is aware of developments and open to a move to United.

Globoesporte says Inter are open to doing business - if United include star winger Nani in a swap for Sneijder.

United boss Sir Alex is expected to give the proposal short shrift given Nani's form this season.

Nani assures Man Utd fans: I will stay

Nani has assure Manchester United fans he is fully committed to the cause.

The Portugal winger was reported to be in talks with his minders about moving to Italy either this summer or next.

Nani is aware of the claims - and has rubbished them this morning on Twitter.

He tweeted: "I've seen some false reports on the press. I want you to know that you will hear the truth from me. Love MU"

Unhappy Nani in quit threat over pay rise!!

Manchester United are facing a battle to keep star winger Nani.

The Portuguese flier, surprisingly fit for tonight's Champions League clash with Marseille, wants to discuss a new contract and wage rise on the back of his sparkling season.

But that has already been rejected and Nani, 24, has already told close friends he is considering a new challenge.

He is just a year into a new four-year contract signed last March.

That raised his wages to around £65,000 at a time when he was nowhere near as influential as he is now.

The player's representatives now believe he should be among the top-paid players at the club.They would not expect him to get the £250,000 a week Wayne Rooney earns, but nearer the £100,000 the likes of Dimitar Berbatov pick up.

But the club have told Nani's people there is no way they will be renegotiating with three years left on his current deal.

Nani, who has quickly recovered from a badly gashed leg, has told friends he is interested in a move to Italy while Real Madrid have long admired him and would also be interested.

Man Utd furious with Liverpool pair Gerrard, Carragher over Nani crock

Manchester United refused Jamie Carragher entry to their dressing room at Liverpool on Sunday.

The Telegraph says Carragher was refused entry to the Manchester United dressing-room on Sunday after attempting to apologise for the challenge which left Nani with a gash so deep that the winger’s shin bone was visible through the open wound.

Although Carragher made efforts to show his remorse for the injury suffered by Nani, United’s coaching staff turned the 33 year-old away due to the anger within the United camp, not only with the challenge, but Phil Dowd’s failure to dismiss the former England defender.

Steven Gerrard’s actions in urging the injured Nani to "get up" while he lay on the ground with the injury clearly visibly also infuriated United’s players and staff.

Nani to be missing three weeks

Nani faces three weeks on the sidelines.

The Sun says Nani will be out for at least three matches after being cut to the bone by Jamie Carragher.

Shocked Manchester United medical staff could not believe the depth of the gash to Nani's left leg inflicted by the Liverpool star's horror tackle in Sunday's 3-1 Kop win at Anfield.

The cut, pouring blood, saw the player carried off in tears on a stretcher.

Bruising is so bad it has been impossible to assess the full extent of the injury. And the big problem now with such a deep wound is the possibility of the stitches bursting.

United believe Nani will miss a month's action - Saturday's home FA Cup clash with Arsenal, the Champions League return against Marseille and a Prem trip to Bolton.

After a week of international dates, United hope he will fit to return to face West Ham on April 2.

Nani attributes sock superstition to his performances

Nani attributes his performances this season to playing with his socks the wrong way round but the midfielder insists his displays mean nothing if Manchester United fail to secure the title.

The Portuguese winger has markedly improved from United's last campaign and is now seeing tangible rewards after scoring 10 league goals as well as providing 15 assists this term.

But the 24-year-old has conceded his superstitious side after admitting he wears part of his kit differently to his Old Trafford team-mates.

"The first time it happened was an accident," Nani told theDaily Mirror. 

"It was a new kit and I didn't know which way I was meant to put them on.

"I realised I'd got it wrong when I saw everybody else had the Nike logo facing the front. But then when it came to the next game, I thought: 'No, I might wear mine like this again.'

"Since then, it's become something of a superstition.

Nani is adamant his individual form will account for nothing if United slip towards the end of the season and fail to win the Premier League. But the winger maintains he is enjoying life at the club.

"I'm really happy, but it's what I do from now until the end of the season that really counts," he said.

"Everything I do now has the potential to be very important - to play a big role in helping us to hopefully win the league.

"I want to give my best and keep performing. I feel great that, so far this season, I've been able to help my team a lot but that won't mean anything if we're not successful.

"Some people are saying I'm one of the most important players in the team, somebody who can provide a bit of magic, but I still think I can improve certain aspects of my game and I'd like to score more goals and create more chances."

Nani also believes the reintroduction of fellow winger, Antonio Valencia, will be a welcome boost to United's title run-in and the Portuguese international has no preference to the side he plays on once the Ecuadorian returns from injury.

"To tell you the truth, it's no easier for me on the right than it is on the left," said Nani. 

"When I play on the left everybody expects me to cut inside onto my right foot.

"Because they expect me to do that it means that sometimes I can surprise them and go on the outside and use my left foot to cross.

"It doesn't matter to me which side I play on because I'm confident of beating my opponent on either side and I can cross and shoot with both feet.

"Antonio's return will be fantastic for the team because at this stage of the season we need all our big players fit. Also, he will be another option going forward.

"In recent months I've often been the only wide player in the team so a lot of our play ends up going through me and I create a lot of chances for the team.

"Sometimes that's difficult. Some days not everything works for me and on other days the opposition might double up on me. The more players we have that can produce a little bit of skill or a great cross for the strikers, the better that is for the team."

Although Nani has won the Premier League with United twice already, the winger recollects the disappointment of last summer after Chelsea won the title, and insists that is a motivation tool during his side's run-in.

"We want to win the league every season," said Nani. 

"You don't get tired of winning trophies. Last season, when I went on my holidays, the first week I couldn't stop thinking about how we lost out in the league to Chelsea.

"Thankfully there was the World Cup soon afterwards so I had something else to look forward to [even though Nani missed it through injury].

"This year there's no World Cup, so I know it could be a very long summer.

"I don't want that to happen - I want to be on holiday with a big smile because I've won at least one trophy."

Ferguson: Nani ahead of Ronaldo at same stage of Man Utd career

Sir Alex Ferguson says Nani is ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo at the same stage of their Old Trafford careers.

While Nani may not yet be at Real Madrid ace Ronaldo’s level, the United boss believes the Reds’ number 17 has adapted to Premier League football sooner than his former mentor.

"Ronaldo was exceptional, a once-in-a-lifetime player," Ferguson toldmanutd.com. "But it did take him time to settle and develop in the English game.

"I think Nani has done it a bit quicker."

At last..Man Utd and Man City players united in ONE thing..

Nani is being tipped to star in today's derby - by both sides of Manchester.

The Portugal international has enjoyed a stellar campaign so far this season.

United pal Anderson said: "Nani is sensational and on his way to join the list of the best players in the world. He is incredible.

"He score goals and controls the ball brilliantly."

And City hardman Pablo Zabaleta conceded: "They have many good players, but now I think their best is Nani.

"He is putting in good performances and scoring many goals. We have to be very careful of him."

Nani: Defensive advice from Sir Alex lifted my game

Nani says he's a better player for improving the defensive side of his game.

Nani admits heeding advice from United manager Sir Alex about tracking back has made him a more dangerous player.

The Portuguese has learned as well that being successful with United is not all about camera-grabbing attacking play.

He revealed: "Sir Alex explained to me the importance of defending well and said I would end up being more dangerous in attack as a result. It is the truth."

Nani: I know I'm great... but I can be better!

Nani has reaffirmed his ambitions to be one of the world's greatest.

He earned high praise from Arsene Wenger earlier this week and while a groin injury is set to keep him out of Saturday's Barclays Premier League encounter with Wolves at Old Trafford, his drive for perfection continues.

"I want to be one of the best players," he said. "In the future, I want everyone to be saying Nani is one of the best players in the world. That is my ambition.

"Maybe some people are saying it now. If they are I am very happy.

"I have been working hard to be in this position. But I know I can also do much better and will keep going every day to get there."

The arrogance is similar to that shown by fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo during his own time at Old Trafford, and he ended up becoming the undisputed world number one in 2008.

Nani might not quite reach that level but his influence on this current United side cannot be understated.

Not that he is fazed by the added responsibility.

"I enjoy the pressure of being an important member of the side," he said. "When you have the ambition to be a top player you have to like the pressure as well.

"I am happy to take on that responsibility and am enjoying my football at the moment."

Nani visited OT two years before signing....as a fan!

Nani has revealed how he visited Old Trafford two years before signing with the Premiership giants.

The 23-year-old told Inside United of his trip to M16 as a youngster and looks back on how far he has come since.

"I came with my friend and we did the tour of the museum and the stadium," said Nani. "I remember sitting in the first-team dressing room and both of us saying ‘wow, this is Ronaldo’s place’ and ‘this is where Rooney and Giggs sit'!

"We sat there and said ‘imagine what it would be like to be part of this dressing room one day,’…and then two years later I was here. It was a great feeling when I signed."

Nani also says he is now fully settled at Manchester United.

The Portugal winger is enjoying his football and feels at home in Manchester and at United.

"The life here is very nice," he told, "but the best things for me are being able to play football every day for such a great club and having the opportunity to win trophies each season.

"I’ve learnt a lot in my time here - I'm older, more experienced and I have more confidence. It's my fourth season at the club and it feels like this is home now."

Nani rather starve if he can play FOOTBALL!

Nani admits he gave up food to pursue his dream of becoming a Manchester United superstar.

As a barefoot youngster growing up on the mean streets of Lisbon, United's Portuguese winger used to skip meals and go hungry just so he could spend more time playing the beautiful game.

"I didn't go home to eat because I wanted to play football," he confesses.

"Every day, morning and afternoon I was there in the 'bairro'. I didn't eat. I was so skinny.

"The most important thing for me was football.

"Sometimes I was hungry but some friends would come with food and I'd take a little.

"I played on grass, on the street, everywhere. I played without trainers - that's why I have one toe broken.

"And when we picked the teams I put the the best players against me and the weaker ones with me so I could play alone.

"I told them: 'You defend, I attack,' and I passed the ball to no-one."

Born in Praia, the capital of the tiny Atlantic island Cape Verde, west of Senegal, Nani emigrated with his family to Portugal at a very young age.

He was raised by his aunt Antonia in the rough Amadora district of Lisbon where he honed his precocious football talent.

Nani has come a long way since his poverty-stricken beginnings in Praia, but even now he still practises his skills on the giant lawn of his luxurious Cheshire mansion and insists that there are balls laying all over his home so he can play football at all times.

But in an interview in the latest edition of the official UEFA Champions League magazine, Nani, 23, claims he always knew he would play for United.

He and young pal Paulo Bento visited Old Trafford and the club museum while on a pre-season tour to England with Sporting Lisbon.

"There's a machine in the museum where you kick the ball to see who has the most power in their shot," he recalls.

"I was very skinny but I won that. No-one believed it.

"We went to the changing room and sat there so excited. 'Giggsy sits here, Ronaldo here,' unbelievable. "I said: 'My friend, one day we will play here.' Three years later I'm here."

Last season Nani emerged from the shadows of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo following his Portuguese team-mate's £80million move to Real Madrid.

This season there will be even more pressure on Nani's young shoulders as United try to regain the title from Chelsea but he insists: "I feel more confident.

"I know I'm doing well, I'm helping my team win games and important points.

"Now I now I am very important for the team.

"Everyone is excited for me because, in the past, they didn't know if I could be the player everyone expected.

"Now everyone starts to believe I can be a very good player."

Nani upstage Rooney this season.......with his new Lamborghini Gallardo

Wayne Rooney was upstaged on his return to training this morning by Manchester United team-mate Nani, who put the England striker in a spin with his hot new wheels.

Rooney arrived at the club's Carrington training headquarters in his red 10 plate Audi RS6.

Just days after colleague Anderson's near-fatal collision in his Audi R8 in Portugal, Nani cruised through the entrance gates in his flash Lamborghini Gallardo.

Rooney returned from his extended post-World Cup break after being embarrassed by pictures of him smoking on a rowdy night out at the weekend.

And Sir Alex Ferguson is under pressure to take action against the 24-year-old's off-field antics.

But the forward, who failed to shine in South Africa, was instead put in the shade by the Portugal winger's limited edition LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni.

One of just 250 made in the world, Nani's £150,000 motor made Rooney's red RS6 look incredibly lacklustre.

However Rooney, who owns an impressive fleet of cars including a BMW X5, Mercedes CLK, Cadillac Escalade and a Chrysler 300C, revealed he is far more comfortable in a more-modest saloon.

Once asked about his RS6 by car manufacturers Audi, United's official car supplier, Rooney said: 'A Saloon that's as quick as a Ferrari, that's my kind of car.

'I love how it looks, but not as much as how it goes. And the sound is just unbelievable.'