With just 18 months remaining on his current deal, rumours have circulated that Nani will be sold this summer. Confirming the signing of Wilf Zaha last month did nothing to help the rumours.

United have offered Nani a new deal but the player doesn’t believe it represents what he’s worth, with Ashley Young on a bigger contract.

The club were keen to sell Nani last summer but he didn’t want to leave, so demanded unrealistic salaries from prospective clubs.

Ferguson, as usual in this type of situation, has put all the pressure on the player.

“We are definitely prepared to keep him,” said the United manager. “There is no doubt about that. He is one of the best match-winners in the game and I’m including the whole of Europe. David Gill has been speaking to his agent for quite a few weeks now. It is entirely up to the boy himself. He’s got a year-and-a-half left. I would prefer to keep him. I think with Nani he wants to be guaranteed first-team football, but he can guarantee that. His performance the other night can guarantee that. We are trying our best because he is such a match-winning player.”