Gabriel Obertan impressed for much of his début against Barnsley before looking tired in the final fifteen minutes or so. He kept the ball really well, ran at the opposition with speed and showed off his silky skills. He looks to be the real deal, regardless of what Larry White thinks.
He’s only had one game so there’s no point getting ahead of ourselves, but some sections of the press have already questioned what impact Obertan’s arrival and début might have on Nani. Is this fair?
On the spectrum of love to hate for Nani, I am found lingering on the more negative side, although do still believe there is a chance of him having a future at this club.
The comparisons between Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo were always going to be made, given they were both Portuguese, came from the same club and played the same position, although I think Nani has always been sold short.
Nani was two years older than Ronaldo when he first came and it showed. Nani was a much more complete player in his first year than Ronaldo had been in his first two years. For one thing, his shooting technique was far superior, with the blinding goals he scored against Spurs and Boro something Ronaldo would have struggled to emulate even in his last season at the club.
Their scoring rate was comparable (Ronaldo scored 4 goals in 29 league games, Nani scored 3 in 26) but Nani scored against tougher opposition. Whilst credit has to go to Ronaldo for making it 3-0 against City in the FA Cup as well as scoring in the final against Championship side Millwall, his others goals against Birmingham, Spurs, Portsmouth and Villa were hardly going to get the country to sit up and pay attention. In contrast Nani scored screamers against Spurs and Boro, but also scored against Arsenal and Liverpool, without forgetting him taking what could have been our last penalty in the shoot-out. He stepped up for our fifth penalty knowing that if he missed we had lost the European Cup but he whacked it as close to the right side of the post as he could, past Petr Cech, cool as you like. His most memorable moment of the season was probably when he took the piss out of Arsenal and squared up to Willy Gallas. Brilliant.
In Nani’s second year though he fell out of favour and was given limited opportunities. Whilst Ronaldo had the likes of Solskjaer, Fletcher (when he was crap) and Kleberson to compete with, Nani had Ronaldo (The Best Player in the World), Park, Fletcher (when he became good) and Giggs (PFA Player of the Year) to compete with.
I’m not Nani’s biggest fan but I can’t help but think the negative attitude towards him has been encouraged because of the comparison’s to Ronaldo, but the truth is, Nani’s raw ability when he first came was superior of Ronaldo’s, in terms of shooting and crossing in particular, but he’s never been given the same run at the team Ronaldo was. Remember when Ronaldo was not so fondly referred to as a ‘one trick pony’ in the press and by rival fans, that ‘one trick’ being the stepover. He was fairly infuriating to watch, going to ground too easily, having lame attempts on goal and not getting his crosses past the first man. But he was afforded the time to improve because of the inferior squad we had between 2003 and 2005. Nani came in at a higher level but wasn’t given that same opportunity to gain experience and improve because our squad was so much better.
So this has to be his last season to really give him a shot and being a starting player for United. He may never fulfil the potential with us and go on to be a great player for another club, but we have to give him a real go. So far it’s all been a bit half-hearted.
2009-2010: 45 minutes against Brum, nothing against Burnley, 90 minutes against Wigan, 90 minutes against Arsenal, 8 minutes against Spurs, 90 minutes against Besiktas, didn’t get off the bench against City, 90 minutes in the League Cup, 56 minutes against Stoke, didn’t get off the bench against Wolfsburg, 90 minutes against Sunderland, didn’t get off the bench against Bolton, 90 minutes against CSKA Moscow, 15 minutes against Liverpool, not in the squad against Barnsley.
Sir Alex Ferguson has today claimed that Obertan will likely be in the squad for tomorrow’s match against Blackburn, leaving Nani, Valencia and Giggs to fight over the starting positions, with Park still a few weeks away from recovery.
Obertan looks great, I’d love to think he has a bright future at the club, I’d like to see him getting sub appearances in the league and a starting place in the cups, but this season has to be Nani’s final push. We paid £17m for the lad and he has shown flashes of absolute brilliance. Equally, he has been totally infuriating. But the last totally infuriating player we had went on to be the best in the world, so maybe it’s in our best interest to try to be a little more patient with Nani.
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Nani took the piss out of Hoyte who now plays at Boro. What happened when he came across Flamini? Almost got his leg taken off with a superb, strong tackle, thats what.
Lets face it people, neither of them will replace Ronaldo – in fact there is no player available in the world who could replace Ronaldo because there were just so many different dimesions to his game. So lets just take these players for what they are and the qualities they can offer.
Its time for Nani to be given a run of games, if that comes at thye expense of Giggs, then so be it. Giggs can have a rle to play from the bench.
What Nani needs is confidence, far to many fans slg him off wilst he is playing, rather than getting behind him.
finally a bit of fucking sense when it comes to nani- the guy is a form player and needs a run in the side and he never ever gets it. when he did(his first season) he is good.
the lad needs a chance.
pat
was that the day we beat ye 3 or 4 nil?
Tony – I don’t mean replacing Ronaldo as in finding a player who is going to score us 42 goals in 47 games, rather finding a player who will start week in week out on the wing because they score and assist a fair amount of goals.
The problem being Ronaldo showed signs of improvement when being a bit part player, Nani hasn’t. If you have watched him this season you cannot say he has improved since last season. His final ball is poor a majority of the time, rarely gets past a defenders, often makes the wrong choice, the list could go on.. Nani will not stay at the club unless he improves dramatically, which quite frankly I can’t see happening.
Fantastic article, summs up the whole issue with him. Nani is brilliant but frustrating. Has stardust at his feet, bags of potential and very talented, scores screamers against tough opposition, takes freekicks, crosses well when he does, and can play on both wings. But his final ball is very poor and he tends to give the ball away a lot.Consistency and more starts in the first team will be the key to hitting top form.
the flashes of brilliance nani showed us in his first years are probz gnna b better then wat obertan shows…
theyr both amazing players
but which one will b consistent enuff to win a place at united is the question…
Agree with you here Scott. Lets give him a real go, cant help but think that Nani still feels Ronaldo as more of a burden than inspiration sometimes…. If Fergie can make him become 100% Nani instead of 80% Ronaldo, then I am sure we have another worldbeater on our hands!
Nani is just a terrible decision maker, He needs to be trained that whatever his mind is telling him to do, do the opposite. He’s got what it takes physically but until he sorts his head he’ll never get a good run out.
@Tufty – how can you possibly say that, Giggs has been our best player this season and we’ve relied on him far too much. Fergie will not drop Giggs to accommodate for Nani in the hope that he ‘finds some form’.
Great article Scott and I completely agree.. Nani needs a run of games. I know it’s early to judge but I can see Obertan becoming a Utd legend. He’s got the touch, the speed, the creativity, and crossing ablility to become a big big player in world football. Nani needs to start finding his feet very very quickly. JMHO.
Like to see them both play tomorrow! Nani and obertan have the abilty to play on both sides unlike Valencia who’s very one sided would be good to see them play together with them both switching from left to right wings!!
What’s everyone else think??
I totally agree Scott…! I have to admit to being a little bit too hard on Nani, due to me expecting him to be near the level Ronaldo was at when Nani arrived…
But the guy has got bags of pontential and a lot of ability, so lets hope he fufils it here and doesn’t go and do a Forlan. We all need to be less negative towards him, as i’m sure he know’s how crap/inconsistant he’s been.
To be honest you hit the nail on the head without realising it.
You are equating Nani with Ronaldo two years younger. So Nani’s 1st year should have been roughly equal to Ronaldo in his 3rd year at Man Utd (so they are the same age) yet Nani never progressed AT ALL, if anything he has got worse.
Yes there have been screamers, and other really good goals no doubt about it (and THAT Arsenal match) – but otherwise he really has got really infuriating, with absolutely no consistancy in one match let alone over a run of matches (which I admit is rare these days – but not in his first few seasons with us). He just isnt good enough Im afraid, Im not saying Obertan will be automatically, but he has at least started well (albeit against inferior opposition – no disrespect meant to Barnsley though)
Yet another wonderful written article by you Scott, you took the words right out of my mouth, and truly if Nani is to leave United for a lesser club (no offense) he will become a world class player, but i honestly think that SAF is really trying to give him a chance this season because he knows of the talent that Nani posesses!
P.S- Its Off topic but i think we should really try buying David Silva and play him throught the middle with Fletcher, he will be great!
needs to work on his decision making and delivering that final ball into the box and i think we will have another cracking player in the team as hes not scared of takin on defenders and has the tricks and pace but he needs a decent run of to get a level of consistency into his game
rmbr when scholes was injured and anderson got a good run of games his level of performance was much better than what weve seen of him recently thats why he shits on fabregas – although i thought he played very well the other night along with obertan and tosic
but with giggs, valencia, park, nani, obertan, tosic and soon to join us lajajick (wateva his name his) part of me thinks that his time his fast running out
obviously giggs isnt getting any younger even though he keeps proving us wrong and a little bedding in time for obertan/tosic/lajajick and we have seen welbeck play out left if nani doesnt show a vast improvment this season i feel his days maybe numbered
Does anyone else think Obertan runs like Cantona?
A pointless observation, but one nonetheless.
The part I agree most with is that when Ronaldo was on his way to becoming the player he was, he didn’t have competition to hold down the first team place, United were also in a position at the time of not winning trophies and were morphing into the “next team”.
It’s not going to be only Nani but, Obertan as well. Soon as he has a bad game or two, he’s going to be replaced by Park, Giggs or someone else. These young players have ability – they all lack developed footballing brains. Training etc is one thing but, when you are trying to teach a young mind to ingrain certain things, doing it weeks apart at a time, it hardly has a chance to stick. It is a lot easier for Nani to revert back to what he does wrong if he is playing every other odd game or 15-20 minutes a game. Just look at Valencia who has been playing a lot of games, he’s playing himself into the type of player he was bought for.
At the start of the season, with having played a lot in pre-season Nani showed that he is capable of learning and making the right decisions. But, he got injured and then he went back to playing sporadically. What he had “learned” was quickly lost. If United don’t start giving these guys more of a run of games – none of them are going to compliment ability with a developed footballing mind. I just don’t see it happening because we are in the midst of competing – that players won’t be given a chance at the expense of not being able to earn us points.
Nani may never be a great player but, unless he is given a good run in the side – a judgment of failure or success cannot be made.
“The problem being Ronaldo showed signs of improvement when being a bit part player, Nani hasn’t. ”
That’s the point though, Ronaldo was never a “bit part player” – he played pretty much every game he was available since he joined, something that Nani hasn’t had the opportunity to do due to our squad being much stronger than it was when Ron joined.
I find the Nani-bashing both amusing and frustrating. Rather like Anderson, Nani’s progress has been “sacrificed” to give playing time to Scholes and Giggs. To a certain extent, this is the nature of the business. Ryan Giggs is still a terrific player so the hill Nani has to climb in displacing him is very steep – and, oddly, doesn’t seem to be getting less so. That being the case, Giggs always will be picked first because of his experience. I suppose that this is unfair for Nani’s development but it is also the reality of dog-eat-dog competition for places/playing-time. You have to prove to the gaffer that you’re better than the other guy – SAF doesn’t play favourites, SAF gives kids a chance, and SAF demands production. I suppose that one could argue that SAF has been rather more kindly than usual to Valencia who hasn’t had to “compete” for playing time on the right but Nani has had to try to dislodge Giggs, which is a tough proposition. Seen in this perspective – and allowing for the ludicrously-extreme comparisons with CR7 – Nani is almost playing with one or two legs tied. The guy can’t win for trying. But, in any event, if one watches his performances with both eyes (a lot of habitual Nani-bashers are decidedly one-eyed) then his progress is slow and gradual but positive. He’s been key in a number scoring situations already this year and will do better (I think) if he can play more. If not, then, I reckon that he’s the bird in the hand and Obertan is the two in the bush.
Gabriel Obertan has the “look” of a thoroughbred – long, graceful strides and excellent pace/acceleration. But is he a runner or a footballer ? That’s the question which he will have to answer before I’d give him playing time ahead of Nani (and Giggs). The decision is likely to be made at Carrington rather than Old Trafford. The guy looks fantastic – but, then, so did Djibril Cisse who always flattered-to-deceive.
I reckon that Obertan will get some chances to impress the main man but if he isn’t absolutely-fabulous then he will have to go in the back-ups line along with Danny Welbeck and Kiko Macheda.
“With the blinding goals he scored against Spurs and Boro, something even Ronaldo would have struggled to emulate even in his last season at the club” I’d disagree with that Scott. I know you’re Ronaldo’s enemy number one, but you cant hide away from facts. Thats being deluded. Where were you in Porto??? That was when we needed Ronaldo most, and he did’nt disappoint. Sadly its all forgotten. And there are countless others which I cant be arsed to mention.
I think this is any exceptionally good and fair assessment of Nani’s record and prospects, and mirrors exactly my views.
Scott, finally some support for Nani!!
I’ve been preaching all season long that he needs a solid run of games to get his confidence up to a level that will make him into a top player. His skills cannot be questioned. He’s fast, technically sound, and has a deadly shot. I’ve always liked the way he plays; with a lot of flair.
I enjoy watching players attempt some tricks and flicks and that’s what Nani does.
I’ve never been able to understand why he’s never gotten a solid stretch of playing time. How can you expect him to improve or make a big impact if he plays every 2nd or 3rd game and then gets limited minutes? Nobody would improve as a player under those circumstances.
I truly believe that if we don’t give this guy a chance and end up losing him we will be burned in the future.
Good article Scott; I’ve always championed Nani’s cause as I know he has the talent and can do things others could only dream about, on the other hand he makes basic errors, which if/when he irons these out we could have a top winger on our hands? I’d prefer it if he played on his more natural side like he did pre-season in Asia where he performed excellently; I finally thought the penny had dropped with SAF but he reverted to putting him back on his more unnatural side which in my eyes is not the way forward. He and Valencia should vye for the RW slot and Obertan and the “unfortunate” Tosic should do likewise opon the other. We’ll have Ljajic coming in to, so I’d personally ship out Park to make space as I dont care how many credit cards he sells he’s “pantalon” and should be the gut people refer to as being the scapegoat, he doesn’t give anything in an attacking sense and imo that’s what United wingers should first and formost be bought to do.
Looking forward to seeing Obertan in action again, as what i’ve seen for the reserves has had me licking my lips, the lad has all the ingredients to be “World Class”.
I’ve always been a big fan of Nani, despite his inconsistencies and obvious weaknesses. Another of his skills , especially in his first season, which I’d like to see more of, he used to be a great taker of corner kicks. Given how many we get we don’t capitalise nearly as much as we should. It’s a slightly different point, but am I alone in thinking United often waste free-kicks when too far away to try a direct shot, such as in the centre circle? Funnily enough, Scholsey is one of the worst offenders, often just tapping a little pass a yard or two to a player who’s not expecting it, who promptly loses possession. I’m all for possession football and being patient, but just occasionally I’d like to see more deep free-kicks exploding into the opposition box to create a bit of pressure (like Giggs against City), something Nani is good at. Stats show how many goals in the Prem these days are from set-pieces, yet we don’t seem to have that many variations up our sleeves. I’d really like to see Nani get a run of games under his belt, he’s still young, still capable of learning, and when he’s got the confidence, as skillful as anyone in the game.For years people used to say how Giggsy wasted his final ball, especially crossing deep from the left, when he’d often over-kick, yet look at him now. All we are saying, Give Nani a chance.
@SULLY
I think what Scott intend to do was for us to look for the future…
Whatever other opinion is Ronaldo is legend to me…but he is our past Nani is the future…There is no point to big the former and not supporting our current player…Nani had massive talent…he not even 25 yet…
Maybe Nani is just a late peak player…not like Ronaldo or Rooney who shine at early stages…
I’ll rather moan on his mistake and lack of decisive final ball now and wait patiently for his improvement, rather on moaning went he became the next Forlan and banging goal for fun at La Liga someday…
Scott,you’ve said exactly what I’ve been thinking but not been able to put into words.
People think Sir Alex is being stupid for backing Nani so much,but look at the last player he backed no matter what.His name is Darren Fletcher,and he’s the most important player in our team.
I agree 120% with Tony Starks. We should forget about Ronaldo and start a new life with new players around !
With Nani & Obertan I would like to add Zoran Tosic to replace Ronaldo. He is such a good skillful player !
nani has had numerous chances and done nothing since his first season, time for someone else to have a crack..hopefully we sign david silva who is proven quality, maybe not in the prem but most great players can play anywhere.
Wow!Scot,briliant piece of writing.like 3/4 of all comments posted here,i support the fact that Nani should be given more playing time.this season must be his season.if he fails to deliver,then SAF wont be blamed 4 not having given him enough opportunities.i have a gut feeling that if we let him go prematurely we’ll be loosing a great jewel(a world beater).
I have always said it I diont hink Nani has much of a fututre with us any more. He must be well pissed of with Obertans debut and how well he played…. let Nani go in January is my thought.
A very precise,reasoned and professional article. As Jamie Redknapp would say,” Top, top work”.
I used to feel pretty similar to alot of you, but, I thought I saw some improvement from Nani in the match against CSKA Moscow. Lovely touches, passed the ball a little and didn’t take too many useless shots as he normally did, but often made a hash of things on the final ball so it was infuriating for most fans.
For me, if its just a case of not playing simple football at times, this should come with some more time.
@Ulster – Nani has definitely appeared for United quite a few times. That however, I don’t think is the same as getting a chance, not for any player, not especially for a player that has not fully developed. Nani getting numerous chances would be if he has got numerous chances of runs of games, even 4-5 games in a row, when has that happened in his time here?
There were stories that Rio needed a run of 10 games or so to really get back into form this season. This is a player people define as a world class player, a player that has pretty much learned what needs to be done but, still needs a run of games to be playing well.
The idea that he has been here almost 3 years is enough for him to have learned to be a better decision maker in matches doesn’t make much sense to me. Sure, you are training day in and day out with the likes of Giggs, Scholes etc. Still I challenge people to find examples of people that have become exceptional footballers without first having played competitively consistently. Even if you could find 1 or 10 – of the 1000s of footballers, that is an anomaly. We slate him for not being a better decision maker and thus why he can’t play for United but, he has not been given a chance to develop that part of his game. Perhaps it would have been better had he gone on loan some place to get that. He’s definitely has had a lot of chances to perhaps have a brilliant game to maybe give him a chance at playing a second consecutive game. Unfortunate for him and us that hasn’t happened every time he gets the odd game here and there.
Not sure about this to be honest. How much longer can we afford him. Its all about taking the opportunity and seizing it when you get the chance. The way Tosic has bulked up and worked his arse off and the way he has been playing for the reserves, Serbia and the other night he will soon be up the pecking order. I really do want Nani to succeed but the most important thing is I just don’t think he has enough mental strength for United. When you look at his appearances he has actually had a fair few games this season. Come on Nani and prove me wrong.
While I think that Nani has loads of ability he is not improving at the rate that Ronnie did.
As for Obertan I can see him being more Henry than Ronnie and would prefer in time to see him and Rooney up top or in a 3 man attack.
Perhaps like this:-Obertan – Berba – Rooney.
But in time Oba I feel will be more Henry than Bellion!
such brilliant piece of writing, scott.
pretty much sums up what i couldn’t put into words.
i just can’t wait to see a rampant nani making those nani-haters eat their words.
What a question. Nobody can replace Ronnie.
His game was strong in so many ways. Except defensively.
£80 million or Ronnie? Ronnie everytime.
And that is because nobody bar Kaka and Messi come close.
Nani had a really strong season in the beginning but I don’t see any development from him. Ronnie had a sustained run in the team. That is what developed him in to the best in the world. Perhaps Nani needs the same chance. Imagine if Beckham didn’t leave United and we picked up Ronnie. He would have never had the chance to develop.
Nani, Obertan, Valencia, Tosic are the future of the club.
Perhaps they need to be given more of a chance to prove their worth.
I hope Nani gets on the wing with Obertan on the other. Giggs can be accomodated in the center along Fletcher (if fit), Ando or even Carrick.
Tosic could get a chance too. For Obertan on the second half, maybe with half a hour to go. That would be like a wet dream for me. lol.
nice article. I`ve been a big fan of the lad. However, in this season he makes me nervous when he plays. I wish he had some decent run of the games under his belt. I am loosing the patients on the other hand. his decision making is awfull and he needs rapid improvement to turn the fan voice for him again
Why does there need to be 1 player to ‘replace’ Ronaldo? In any event none of these lads have Ronaldo’s ability – but I’d rather more balance in the side anyway. The last 2 seasons saw us rely on Ronaldo far too much – indeed much of our play went through him – whether he was scoring or being at the heart of moves.
To compare Nani, Obertan or anyone we have to Ronaldo is ridiculous. Very few (if any) players in the world possess Ronaldo’s power, goal scoring instinct and sheer size. He can also play on both wings or through the centre and score in virtually any means necessary. In terms of an all rounded and adaptable offensive game – there is no equal to Ronaldo in this aspect. In addition (despite his tantrums, playboy lifestyle and diving) Ronaldo is one of the most dedicated trainers in the game and has found a level of mental maturity/toughness and footballing ruthlessness that perhaps none of our wingers yet possess.
In the end – Nani, Obertan and Valencia need to be themselves and play up to their own potential – not worry bout filling Ronaldo’s impact individually – but rather contributing their best in their own way to Utd’s cause collectively.
one things for sure after reading the comments, everybody loves scott unconditionally and especially admires his penmanship… its a right love in
Lets have an article about Zoran Tosic as well. He seems to be getting the “Kleberson/Forlan” treatment from SAF. I hope he gets his fair opportunity soon because this guy even scores goals for the Serbian national team, who have done extremely well in World Cup Qualifying. How he cant make a bench for Utd or a CHampions League squad is beyond me….
Nani’s talent is probably greater than Ribery’s. I think Nani will get a consistent run in the first team as the season progresses, especially if we go deep in Europe. I don’t think he will start against Blackburn, but I hope he clocks enough time against Rovers as well as CSKA… With him, Obertan and Valencia we have three possibly world class wingers, if they fulfil their potential… Unfortunately, only one of the three is anywhere close to being world class… but the other two have ample time on their hands! Within a season or two, we might be seeing Nani and Valencia on the wings, week in week out, with Obertan playing more centrally and switching with Nani… and with Ljajic playing CAM behind Rooney and a quality striker, maybe Macheda… or some guy we probably haven’t even heard of yet, whom SAF will turn into the next big thing! I am just willing to wait and watch… the next two seasons are going to see a plethora of rising starts arrive at OT. It starts with Obertan, whenever he makes his OT debut… and I think will continue all the way through this season and the next as the likes of Pogba, Ljajic and Petruci brace themselves for first team action… This is just so exciting!
Tosic
i think that if nani can improve his decision making he can become a world beater. i think we don’t need silva i think he’s quality but is he up to the standards of the premier league i’m not so sure we don’t need to buy players if we have talented youngsters in our ranks. great article scott. i think that nani offers more than valencia. antonio needs to be creative and not one dimensional. nani in my opinion needs can get more games if he irons out his flaws. i think that he is technically than ronnie in terms of shooting and crossing. obertan seems to be an exciting player and i feel that tosic deserves a run in the side as he is outstanding when playing for Serbia and the reserves. he can play on the left and switch flanks with either nani or obertan. all these mentioned above are versatile which gives us many options and gives fergie a selection.:-)
Anon- Nani’s talent is not greater than Franck Ribery’s… not even close.
Granted Nani is younger, I hope in a few years that statement will be true.
How can you give the lad a run in the team if he shows zero signs of improvement? If anything, he has progressed backwards. Decision making is both a skill and an instinct- Nani is instinctively selfish and I cannot think of a player I have seen make the wrong decisions as often as Nani. It is frustrating beyond belief.
Also, I don’t think Scott meant that one player can replace the best player in the world. However, some of Ronaldo’s contributions to the squad must be picked up by other players- i.e. Nani, Obertan, Tosic, etc.
Anon- NO WAY POGBA IS IN THE FIRST TEAM NEXT YEAR AHEAD OF HARGRAVES ANDERSON FLETCH CARRICK SCHOLES AND LJAJIC
Decision making is learned through playing matches consistently, not through just being blessed for being a “United player”. Won’t give him a run of games because of poor decision making but, can’t improve it if he doesn’t play more … catch-22.
It’s simple, swallow the pill and give Giggs either central role if starting (no) or come of the bench when his superior footballing intelligence and experience can be used to turn the game around against tired out defenders. In the mean time, give whoever it is supposed to be our future, more games on the trot.
Shimo – that sounds easy (“swallow the pill” and “give Giggs the central role”) but the fact remains that Ryan Giggs is still one helluva player. The new formation/tactic in the way Giggs has dovetailed with Evra is almost “like a new signing” on the left wing. This is bad news for Nani BUT if he’s good enough then he’ll prevail although it looks like his progress will not be fast-forwarded unless he can prove that he is even better than Giggs. That’s some challenge ! It also points to the depth of squad that is going to be UTD’s greatest asset in the spring-time when bums bubble-and-squeak and all the matches are big matches.
Quite clearly, UTD’s greatest strength is the depth-of-squad. When Wesley Brown, John O’Shea, Anderson, Carrick, RedNev, Scholes, Nani, Giggs, Evans, and Little Mikey – that’s a list of ten outfield players – are called upon to play they almost always aquit themselves well. How deep is squad for the other members of the “Big 4″ ? How good is the ninth and tenth man in their second eleven ? David N’gog ? Voronin ? Mikael Silvestre ? Paolo Ferreira ?
I don’t disagree that Giggs is still on more occasions than not capable of brilliant play. But, people are saying this is Nani’s last season if he can’t play better. If they aren’t going to give him a chance because Giggs is playing a lot of games out there, then it can’t be laid down as his last season to prove he has what it takes to displace Giggs.
With a player which has already developed most facets of their game it would be a fair statement to say show us you can play better than a 35 year old Giggs. But, for a developing player – to magically develop all the aspects to displace Giggs in good form is a bit much. In fact I look around the league and am hard pressed to find another left winger that is on enough form to displace Giggs the way he has started this season. Maybe for whoever that does take over the left wing spot it will be a matter of luck of just being in the squad at the time when Giggs is hardly played out there, maybe that is Nani’s bad luck.
One thing I haven’t seen discussed is why if Giggs is the reason Nani isn’t getting games, then is he not given time on the right? Till recently he’s been more of a threat than Valencia, so why wasn’t he sharing the right wing fight with Valencia as Nani is right footed player. Valencia has been instantly been given a run of games and with that he’s been able to improve his performances, same can’t be said of Nani.
It’s football and winning is the name of the game. But, it doesn’t matter what young players we bring in with potential, none will develop into major pieces to plug the hole left by what Ronaldo was for us unless they are going to get a chance at more than an odd game here or there.
Shimo – the Valencia/Nani question is a good one. I don’t understand SAF’s decision to give Valencia time to “bed in” while playing Tinkerman with Nani. But, he’s the boss, he’s the gaffer, he’s the main man, and he’s the one with the long, long, long resume of success so, really, it’s up to us to try to think along with him. In that vein, I reckon that SAF wants to get Valencia up-to-speed and see what he can do while playing with better players; he knows what Nani can do. But he also knows what Giggs can do and what he has to offer so, really, it’s up to Nani to show him that he can do it better. Like I said before, it’s a real challenge.
got convinced with scott article. ya boy, give nani a good run, week in week out before we lay down our judgement. hope fergie see é same rationale.
There seems to a chain of thot here that valencia is given time to bed in. Well nani has had his time to bed in.
the difference is in that while valencia doesnt wow the crowd with skills and tricks, he makes up for it with hard work, his speed and strength. Nani just needs to get a football brain, as a international player you should have enough of that, time on the pitch should improve his decision making not jump start if from scratch. IMO i think a revisit of the 4-3-3 system is needed
ANDO, and Valencia either side of Fletcher with 2 exceptional players playing just further up the pitch, the area btw the defence and midfield. With our present squad i’d go for Rooney and Obertan. Plum berbatov on top of that and christmas tree and watch Old Trafford light up
I remember as a kid getting my sir name 11 on the back of my first united jersey my dad asked me who was number 11(thou he already knew) I said Giggs , my dad acted like he didn’t know who this kid was. I said he’s new at united and people are saying he’s the next George best, not knowin too much about bestie but knowin enough at the re to know that that’s a big deal. My dad said I know this kids good but it’s unfair on h to be puttin pressure on him with talk like that. Nani obertan tosic are not Ryan giggs , but that giggs that myself and my dad talked about is not the same as the giggs that will maybe play tomorrow. It’s that giggs +16 years. I think nani has got his fair share of chances and if it worked out he’d be replacing Ronaldos spot in the team. I think that was the plan. But plans don’t always work out . If they did I’d be talkin toy dad tomorrow about giggs, I think it’s really all about jillin time ril January till that guy plays … You know the fella. The one noone knows how to spell his name and fewer know how to say it. It begins with a L and is mates with tosic and vidic. I fella I know who’s a scout for Celtic and I where talkin 2 hours ago and he was telling me word is this kid is going to be the fuxkin dogs bollox. He said the guy he was talkin to said give him 5 years and he will get unites another 80million
totally agree that nani needs a run of games to determine how good he really is. look at ronaldo, he was infuriating and called a show pony but he came good after fergie gave him a run and he learnt to cope with the demands on the premier league to become the player he is today. as for obertan, great potential. the next henry? not just yet but he looks fantastic on the ball, great skill, speed, tehcnique and an eye for a killer pass. don’t forget tosic, he looks a bit lightweight but he too has great speed and potential but he needs to bulk up.
off topic.did you guys read the sun?
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2707606/Cristiano-Ronaldo-Wayne-Rooney-should-join-Real-Madrid.html
why do i bother reading the sun despite knowing that they’re a load of nonsense.I should just slap myself.
Scott, it is a really good article. A really interesting question. Most of your points, i’ve thought about them too and i agree with them. I have just one sentence to add – In Fergie we trust.
i think no one watched ronaldo’s debut game against bolton.. he ran riot on the left and totally owned their defence, in the process winning a penalty.
viva ronaldo
the bottomline is no one can replace ronaldo in terms of his overall contribution but we definitely have some wingers out there who can scare thebest of defences.at the moment valencia is looking the sharpest and will be a regular IMO. he should always play on the right. nani has been inconsistent and this is the big season for him.perform or perish in nani’s case.as for obertan ,he really looked good and is just 20 so he has lots of time to improve and as i said earlier he will be a legend at OT.he has pace.can use both feet and will get the proper guidance.plus he is not under as much pressure as nani .tosic really has to be given more chances.he is doing very well in the reserves so he should atleast be given a chance in the cup games.i want to see obertan play against a premiership side.lets see how he does
As Wayne stated earlier this week: RONALDO IS IRREPLACEABLE
Great article Scott. I am hoping that Nani is given more games because I know he can be better. He plays so well for the national team and I hope he can become a better player for United as well. Forca Nani.
I do think Nani is a better crosser of the ball than Ronaldo and has all the technical ability in the world. I think its the mental side of the game that lets him down. I dont know if he is immature or if he over thinks situations but he shoild be given a chance for sure. I would like to see him keep things simple though, track back, beat a man(once is enough) and get the ball in the danger area. He doesn’t have to try and make it look as spectacular as he possibly can, simple fast effective one touch football is the game at its most beautiful. Remember Ronaldos goal against Arsenal in the CL last season.
Nani’s performances don’t inspire others in the team nor does he cause opposition defences any great problems. Invariably we are playing teams that park the bus week in week out and we need players that can unlock the defence and create opportunities and confusion/panic in the opposition. I don’t think he can do it. Obertan looked terrific, OK against Barnsley, but he had them in two minds, Nani has our players in two minds which means there is no flow of attack.
Our team lacks confidence and we need inspirational performances to lift the team – Nani won’t deliver that now or ever.
We are also lacking a strong team leader at the moment. Rio’s performances are very ordinary therefore he is not entitled to berate players on the park (when needed) to get them to lift their game. The strongest personality is Rooney we don’t need our strikers to worry about anything other than scoring goals.
Excellent point about the lack of a team leader, DoenunderManc. That showed in all the last 3 games against the dippers and Barca in the final. We get away with it most of the time as we have so many good players. But there’s no-one who takes charge when things are going wrong. It’s maybe not Ronaldo we need to replace, it’s Keano…
Replacing Ronaldo….Impossible he’s a class of his own…
obertan is a great player at only 20 he was better than ronaldo when ronaldo was 20 or atleast the same level.
Nani*****, total class, staying with it is the key! lol