Nani tells Inside United about his stunning form since the turn of the year, how he’s matured, and his footballing education on the streets of Portugal...

Was last season your best for United personally, even though it ended disappointingly for team?
Yes, it’s fair to say that. Last season was important for my confidence. I was pleased with how I played during the second half of the season and I want to keep improving each year.

You seemed to hit top form suddenly when you came back from injury in January. Was that a result of anything that happened on the pitch or in your life, maybe something somebody said, or did it just click together by coincidence?
I had a chat with the manager about things, but I knew myself that when I came back from injury I had to change something because I wanted to play, to improve and to show everyone what I can do. Once I got fit I worked hard every day in training and the manager saw that. He spoke with me and told me my chance would come and when he gave it me everything went from there.

Did you feel the support growing for you from the fans as you put in performance after performance?
It’s always nice to hear the fans get behind you and they gave me a lot of support last season which I am very grateful for. Their backing gives me even more confidence to go out and perform to my best in every game.

The manager has said he expects you to build on your efforts last season – do the high expectations he and other people have put extra pressure on you or is it something you enjoy?
He says that because he believes I can get better and that gives me great confidence. He knows I can do even better and so do I; I expect a lot from myself and I have to work hard to achieve that. I feel sharp and strong and I hope I can help the team enjoy many great moments this season.

How do you compare the Nani of now to the one who joined the club in 2007?
Now I’m a bit older I’m more experienced and I definitely have more confidence. This season is my fourth at the club and it really feels like this is my home now.

You said recently that when you first joined you were so excited to be playing with big stars – looking back were you slightly overawed by everything and did that affect progress initially?
It was just a big change for me. Of course, I was excited, but it was hard in some ways because you have a lot to adjust to. I didn’t know the language, the food was different and even getting used to driving on the other side of the road took time! I was on my own as well as my family had stayed in Portugal, but at the same time I was very lucky that I had Anderson, Cristiano [Ronaldo] and Carlos [Queiroz] at the club. We could chat together in Portuguese and I learnt a bit of English every day with Ronaldo and Carlos. As I said, now this feels like home and I’m very happy here.

Do you still consider yourself a young player or do you find yourself handing down advice to the younger lads in the squad?
I know I’m still young in terms of my age, but in my head I feel a bit older now. I’ve learnt a lot in my time here and whenever I think I can help the younger players I always try to give them advice.

What do you remember about your days playing football on the streets of Amadora in Portugal?
When I was younger all I thought about was football. I would get up early to go out and play and not come back until late. I wouldn’t bother coming in for lunch, I would just be out playing football all day. They were good times, but sometimes it wasn’t easy because the area where I lived was a tough place. There were some problems there and I had to be strong to make sure I just concentrated on football and never got distracted and had my head turned to go the other way. I was very lucky that I had football to focus on.

Did you always believe you’d make it as a professional?
It was always what I dreamt of doing. I have one brother, Paolo Roberto, who is five years older me and he was the one who got me into football when I was younger. He was a good player back then, the best in our area in fact, and he taught me everything. My father was in Cape Verde at the time and couldn’t come back Portugal, so my brother was like a second father. He was my inspiration.

You’re renowned for your fancy footwork – did you spend a lot of time learning and practising tricks and flicks as a youngster?
Yes, me and my friends would spend hours practising in the street. We would watch all the great players on TV – I remember watching a lot Ronaldo and [Luis] Figo when they were at Barcelona - and try to copy their tricks. The skills you learn give you the confidence to play football, but the rest you have to learn at a club. I was very lucky to join a club like Sporting [Lisbon] because they taught me about the rules of the game and looked after me very well.

What was early life like at Sporting and was it a good place to learn your trade?
I learnt so much whilst I was there. There was always someone there to explain to me about things I wasn’t sure of and to help me make the right choices and never get distracted by anything bad. The people at the club taught me to do the right things on the pitch and I will always be grateful for their support.

We heard that you visited Old Trafford with Sporting before you joined – did you ever imagine you’d become a United player?
[Laughs] I remember that visit - I came with my friend and we did the tour of the museum and the stadium. 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!

So, playing for United had always been an ambition of yours…
It was just a dream really. I didn’t really believe it until I actually arrived. It was a great feeling when I signed. That friend, who was with me on that first visit to Old Trafford, came to stay with me in Manchester after I joined United and we laughed about what we’d said when we sat in the dressing room. It just felt amazing to be at United as one of their players.

How confident are you feeling about United’s title chances?
There is a big motivation to win the league every season and we’ll be working very hard to try and do that. I think it’s too early to say if it will be just ourselves and Chelsea challenging - I think we’ll have a better idea around November/December time.

Are there any matches you are particularly looking forward to playing this season?
I look forward to every game and I want every game to be special this season. When you play for Manchester United you want to win every match and we hope we can win enough to bring the title back to Old Trafford.

United's crown as the number one defence is askew and Patrice Evra fears it could cost the Reds the title.

Despite being deposed as Premier League champions last May by Chelsea United were still the meanest rearguard in the division.

With 28 in their goals against column they were four better than Chelsea and 13 better than both Arsenal and Tottenham who finished in the top four.

But after five matches this term United have conceded seven and have the worst figures in the top seven.

Sunderland and Blackburn in the lower half of the table have conceded fewer. Sunday against Liverpool was the third time this season the Reds had let slip a two-goal lead.

While it didn’t cost them against the Anfielders it saw four title points shipped against Fulham and Everton.

It is a trend that French left- back Evra (right) says is no longer a simple mishap.

“It was an accident against Fulham, an accident against Everton. If you do it again it is not an accident,” he said. “We need to stop doing that. We need to stop bringing that nervousness to the situation. We could finish the game with a heart attack.

“It is not easy for the players, the fans or the staff. I am concerned because we conceded two goals again. I don't know why we made the job hard.

“We can make it easy. We have to make sure that kind of thing doesn't happen again. We need to make Manchester United solid.

“It is not only about the defenders. It is about everyone. We conceded two goals on Sunday but Liverpool didn't even have a shot on target. It was a penalty and a free-kick. That type of thing should not happen. It was not only against
Liverpool. It has been from the beginning of the season.

“I wasn't worried at 2-2 but I was very unhappy. We were playing at Old Trafford and we were winning 2-0 against Liverpool. Suddenly we are 2-2.

Worry

“How can we then say we are going to win the league if you draw that kind of game?”

Reds captain and central defender Nemanja Vidic was perplexed by United leaking goals against Liverpool.

“We weren't happy with how we conceded the goals,” said the Serb. “When they made it 2-2, you wonder how it has happened. We had played some good football and I don't remember Liverpool having any shots before they scored. We looked solid.

“But the small details and strange situation cost us goals and in the end it starts to worry you. It wasn't just the manager who couldn't believe it. It was the players as well. I looked in their eyes. People couldn't believe it.

“I hope it is over now and we stop giving away cheap goals. We need to be stronger in the next few games.”

United could have slipped six points behind leaders Chelsea had it not been for Dimitar Berbatov rescuing the Reds defensive deficiencies with his stunning hat trick.

Having had two personal match-winning goals wiped out by Steven Gerrard, the Bulgarian rode back on the white charger to dig his rearguard colleagues out of the mire.

Berbatov is now top dog in the race for the Premier League’s Golden boot with six to his credit.

Vidic believes the 29-year-old is putting an early marker down for the top individual honours.

“All players know how good Dimitar is. His skills with the ball are incredible,” added Nemanja.

“But the criticism he got last year was because he didn't score many goals. This season he is scoring a lot, and important goals too.

“We are all happy for him. If he keeps doing that we have a good chance to win the league and for him to gain some rewards and be player of the year.”

Evra, too, heaped praise on the rejuvenated hitman.

“Dimitar has had a hard time here. It has never been easy but he has worked very hard,” said Patrice. “He deserves this because everyone knows Dimitar Berbatov has a big talent. Against Liverpool he showed he has the power. He has everything to be the best striker here. I am really happy for him.

“He scores a lot of goals like that in training. He can do many things. I hope and wish that he will carry on doing that for the rest of the season.”