Ferguson: Immature Nani has grown up
442 Staff - Friday 05 February 2010, 18:49
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Nani's newly-developed mature attitude is the main reason behind his improved performances for the Red Devils.
“He has been
pretty immature since he came to the club, but you are seeing the
development now,” Ferguson told MUTV.
The former Sporting Lisbon starlet has struggled to establish himself at Old Trafford since arriving in July 2007, and finally made his 50th league appearances for the club in last weekend's 3-1 victory against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Reports tipped the 23-year-old to to depart during the January transfer window, but Nani remained in Manchester and put in arguably his best performance in a United shirt yet against the Gunners.
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And he admitted that his better outlook on life is resulting in better performances on the pitch.
“The manager has shown confidence in me, I have been given more time on the pitch and that has given me belief in myself," he said in the Mirror.
"I know I can do a good job for the team, we believe in ourselves and that we can win titles and have success this season."
Nani’s new-found form has given Ferguson a selection dilemma for the rest of the season with Antonio Valencia also vying for first-team action.
"We are all delighted with [Nani]. We are getting consistency from him now," Ferguson said.
"It gives me a massive decision to make between Nani and Valencia."
Nani is likely to get another chance to cement his place in the team and demonstrate his maturity once more as United take on bottom-side Portsmouth at Old Trafford on Saturday.
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