Nani’s fragile self-belief, his frustrating inability to deliver when it mattered most and the pressure of filling the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo’s £80million sale to Real Madrid had prompted speculation of his imminent departure from Old Trafford, a perception hardly dispelled by his decision to publicly criticise Ferguson’s handling of him in an interview in a Portuguese magazine in Nov 2009.Yet when Premier League leaders Manchester City arrive at Old Trafford on Sunday aiming to end Manchester United’s record run of 19 successive home league victories, Nani will no longer anticipate a watching brief from the substitutes’ bench ahead of a role as one of Ferguson’s key attacking weapons.
At 24, the Portuguese winger has now emerged from Ronaldo’s shadow and become a key figure in his own right. Ten goals last season led to many observers billing Nani as United’s player of the year and, although Antonio Valencia’s return from a long-term injury in the Spring saw him lose his place to the Ecuadorean, he is likely to get the nod over the former Wigan player against City.
And after scoring three goals in his last three games against Roberto Mancini’s team, Nani insists he is now mentally tough enough to take on the challenge of performing when it truly matters for United.
“All the players want to play in these games, especially me.” Nani said. “My confidence for these games is high and I feel comfortable in these sort of games.
“I like the pressure these games bring and, every time we play a big game like this one against Manchester City, we have a lot of motivation.
"Every year, the games against City seem to get more important. We usually play well against them and I hope I can make a contribution to make sure we win on Sunday.
"That is what I have been doing this season. I have been working hard and waiting for these big games because I believe I have the quality and mentality to play in them.” Nani’s two-goal performance during the Community Shield victory against City at Wembley in August, when United overturned a 2-0 half-time deficit to clinch a 3-2 victory, emphasised his increasing importance to Ferguson’s team.
The former Sporting Lisbon winger’s pace and natural attacking instinct are regarded as key elements in the team’s evolution towards the cavalier approach displayed by United and their emerging youngsters in the early weeks of this campaign.
United’s progress has slowed in recent games, however, with two draws in their last three league fixtures opening the door for City to claim top spot ahead of the derby.
But Nani insists that United will not be intimidated by City’s elevated status when the two teams meet this weekend.
“I think they (City) are one of the teams who have been doing fantastic since the season started.” Nani said. “Chelsea are also doing fantastic, so it is too early to say it is just going to be about Manchester United and Manchester City for the title.
“City have a fantastic team at the moment with fantastic players. They play a lot of good stuff and it will be difficult to play against them.
“But we should not forget, we are United and, when we play at home, it is very difficult to beat us.
“We will try to do our best to win the game again and of course we are confident. We should be confident every time we play at home because we have a fantastic home record.
“At Old Trafford, we have to believe we are going to win most of the games, but the motivation against the big teams is the highest it can be and I feel very good to play in this game.” Victory for City would see them move five points clear of United and, having defeated Ferguson’s team in the FA Cup semi-final last season, there is a growing belief at the Etihad Stadium that they now face their neighbours on an equal footing.
Nani insists, though, that the semi-final defeat will not come into United’s thinking on Sunday.
"No - all the players have forgotten this now especially as we beat City in the Community Shield at Wembley at the start of the season.” Nani said.
“It’s important that we remember that, rather than the semi-final or any other games we lose.”
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