I actually thought Nani did okay with the cross and winning a couple of free kicks which is more than I could remember of Berbatov and Ronaldo. While I defend Berbatov, I find it absurd for people to criticize Nani and not Berbatov for doing the same thing - almost nothing.

@ nVidiaFX - to misquote the fella, 'fans like him ooze class.'

Kudos to the Wizard... it's been far too long.    

Let see if Tomorrow's football focus their will mentioned it or not? I bet that stupid pundit will only focus on that "penalty"

Half-time substitution may be last straw as United's winger leaves ground early

By Ian Herbert

Tuesday, 28 April 2009

The Manchester United future of Nani, the Portuguese signed to take over Ryan Giggs' mantle, is in increasing doubt after he left Old Trafford before the end of Saturday's game, having been substituted at half time.


The 22-year-old is understood to have been "very upset" after Sir Alex Ferguson did not send him out for the second half against Tottenham and he left the stadium around 10 minutes before the end, having watched his replacement, Carlos Tevez, help inspire United's comeback. He will not be fined and his unwillingness to stay around to see his jubilant team-mates is not strictly against club rules but it raises serious doubts about his future.

Sources close to the player in Portugal suggested yesterday that if Cristiano Ronaldo, his main ally at United, leaves for Real Madrid this summer then Nani will depart too – probably for Internazionale. The player said last night: "I was not satisfied about my role against Tottenham but I accept the orders of the coach by the substitution at half-time. The team changed in many ways during the second half but I wasn't responsible for the first 45 minutes. I finished the match unhappy though I am still waiting to demonstrate what I can do."

But his early removal on Saturday looked justified and continues a dire season in which the left midfielder, signed for £14m from Sporting Lisbon, has been substituted on each of his six league starts and never made it beyond 70 minutes. Nani insisted he wanted to stay and fight for his United future. "I have signed a deal with this club and my dream is to obtain a permanent place in the eleven," he said.

But Ferguson's decision to buy the Partizan Belgrade winger Zoran Tosic in January raised questions, even though the Serbian has not developed physically in time to feature this season as Ferguson had hoped. If United move for Wigan's Antonio Valencia in the close season Nani would appear to have little prospect of staying.

Nani said in an interview with Portuguese journalists a few months back that he did not understand why he had such a bad press in England this season because although he is playing less, he has scored more – six goals compared to four last season. There was widespread surprise when United paid out such a sum for him in the summer of 2007, although his United career started promisingly. He scored a spectacular 30-yard winner against Spurs at the start of last season before setting up the goals which enabled United to shade 1-0 wins against Sunderland and Everton and scoring against Liverpool.

Nani, who grew up in a tough district of Lisbon, has always been a difficult character. Even when he was winning plaudits at Sporting, he lacked Ronaldo's charisma and his decline can be tracked to his unfathomable headbutt on the West Ham defender Lucas Neill in the penultimate league game of last season.

The Brazilian right-back Rafael, whose torrid time against Luka Modric on Saturday was out of keeping with a fine first season at United, has been given a two-year contract extension which will keep him at Old Trafford until June 2013. His twin brother Fabio has not played enough games for United to have warranted a contract extension, though his initial deal takes him through to 2011 at least.

"Everyone at the club has been very impressed and excited by [Rafael's] first year as a professional," Ferguson said. "His enthusiasm and the adventurous way he plays is typical of a Manchester United player and we are delighted that he has signed a new contract."

That just proves how immature Nani is, on and off the pitch. Lots of players go through this stage of life, but you get things back together and work harder, not sulking. It won't make a difference if he leaves the club if his attitude remains the same.

With Evra might struggle against Walcott and Park is not really in the good form either, Rooney will be our best bet to play ahead of Evra.

young devils vs young gunners

amos
rafael - evans - chester - fabio
nani - gibson - anderson - tosic
macheda - welbeck

sub : possebon, eckersley, cleverly, drinkwater, eatfood

What's the argument? What's the problem? Ryan Giggs has appeared in 40 games this season (24 starts, 16 as a sub), helped Manchester United become champions of the world in Tokyo, starred in the Premier League thrashing of Chelsea and featured prominently in seeing off Inter Milan and Porto in reaching in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final with Arsenal.

At 35, Giggs produces the most consistent football of his distinguished career and is a wonderful ambassador for club and sport. Sounds like the ideal Player of the Year.

The Professional Footballers' Association has been criticised for voting early, for giving the award to a player who does not start every game, for making almost a sympathy vote in honouring Giggs, almost a life-time achievement award. Nonsense. No one begins every match at a club like United chasing success on so many fronts. In key games, though, when Sir Alex Ferguson knows the heat is on, when he needs experienced campaigners who will not surrender the ball, he invariably turns to Giggs, who should make his 800th United appearance against Arsenal tomorrow.

In considering the contenders for an all-star team of the season, this observer has little problem finding a place for Giggs. Mark Schwarzer keeps goal, Glen Johnson and Patrice Evra are the full-backs either side of Phil Jagielka and Nemanja Vidic. Midfield demands the inclusion of Ashley Young, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and definitely Giggs for his intelligent movement, passing, crossing, excellence in big matches and an assists record that no one currently rivals. The front pair is obviously Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres.

Now the ballot boxes go around the press boxes and Giggs is guaranteed this column's vote for a myriad on-field reasons and for an off-field one. In an age when footballers are often derided as loutish mercenaries, Giggs is a fine, one-club role model, a marvellous example to inspire children to fall in love with the game, encourage promising youngsters to keep training hard and all pros to live the right way.

Giggs doesn't get booked for late tackles, he doesn't get cautioned falling out of nightclubs late at night. Quietly but persistently, Giggs engages in community and charity initiatives. The likeable Welshman is the most grounded superstar imaginable. Two European Cups, 10 titles, the admiration of his peers, the adulation of his fans, have not gone to his head.

Take Ferguson's word for it. "What Ryan has done so well is retain his humility throughout his life,'' United's manager said. "The lad has not changed and when he goes home to his mother, she sees the same boy he was 20 years ago.''

So respected within his profession he has been appointed an OBE. So famous around the world, Giggs has even been mentioned in The Simpsons, the only Premier League footballer to feature with Bart and friends.

Before receiving his Player of the Year award in front of Ferguson and a 1,100-strong audience at the PFA party on Sunday night, Giggs found a quiet corner of the Grosvenor House Hotel and reflected on his longevity. Typically modest, he was quick to praise Ferguson for giving him this Indian summer. "He knows when to rest me – we used to call it 'dropped', but now we call it 'rested'!'' smiled Giggs.

Now in his 18th professional season, Giggs has drawn inspiration from others. "I obviously look at players like Paolo Maldini, playing late into their 30s and playing well,'' Giggs said. "I looked at Eric Cantona when I first came into the team, saw how he looked after himself during the season. Roy Keane had a big influence on me. You see Roy and the manager, and you see the hunger. The manager's desire inspires me.

"I get inspired by seeing the likes of Cristiano [Ronaldo] and Wayne [Rooney] coming through, young players coming through. This season it's been Rafael. When I'm playing against Rafael and he's bombing past me, I've got to do something about it. It's not nice but I have to raise my game. Knowing my career is coming to an end means I've got to make the most of it.''

The hamstring problems that bedevilled Giggs's 20s have been addressed tactically, by deploying him across the midfield and less of an out-and-out flying winger, and also through intense conditioning work. Close up, Giggs wears a gaunt look, his cheeks almost sunken, his body as lean as when he burst on to the football scene as a will-o-the-wisp teenager. He credits yoga.

"I've been doing it for five years,'' he explained. "When I turned 30 I decided I had to make some sacrifices – diet, alcohol. Yoga has definitely helped with my hamstrings and also how I feel. I feel good after games, fresh during games. Consistently, over the season, I've probably got better the older I've got.''

Tomorrow brings the familiar figures of Arsenal, 10 years on from another epic semi-final, the FA Cup meeting memorable for Giggs's astonishing winner, seizing on a rare loose pass by Patrick Vieira, weaving past celebrated defenders before shooting past David Seaman.

"It was a great moment at Villa Park for me personally and for the team,'' recalled Giggs, whose goal celebration involved ripping off his shirt, twirling it above his head and bringing chest hair back into fashion. "I will be remembered for it,'' he smiled. "I don't know if I like it – but that's because people remember the celebration more than the goal!

"When you score a goal, especially an important one like that, then the feelings rise up and you've got no control over yourself. That's what football is all about. You never know what's going to happen next. I used to say I would never do it again but you never know. If you score an important winning goal again in the last minute you might just do it.''

This time? "Arsenal are a top, top team, always have been,'' Giggs said. "Over the years they've been our biggest challengers so we've got to raise our game. They can pass any team off the park. We had the challenge of going to Porto, when it was a case of backs against the wall against a very good team, but we came through it and we need two similar performances against Arsenal. It's a massive challenge for us.''

And Giggs, the man for all seasons, the right vote for all reasons, loves a challenge.

From the Sun:

PARK JI-SUNG last night verbally agreed a new £50,000-a-week deal that will keep him at Manchester United for another four years.

The winger, 28, has 12 months left on his current contract — but will put pen to paper on improved terms next month.

Park, a £4million buy from PSV Eindhoven four years ago, said: “I have no reason to move. I play at the best club in the world.”

United hope to agree a new deal with keeper Ben Foster, who is a target for Tottenham.