There has never been any doubt that Nani has the tools to be come a serious player.
He is an elite athlete, he is very skillful, he has scored some wonderful goals in the past.
It has always been his decision making that has let him down.
Most of the time [much like Ronaldo 4 or 5 years ago] Nani would make a few bad decisions and lose the ball and the next time he gets a ball he tries to make up for it and hangs on to it too long or miscontrols a pass etc…
The thing about his play today is that his decision making has been perfect and he has gained in confidence and made a serious impact as a result.
If he can continue to make the right decisions then he could be a revelation for United in the second half of the season.
Good game. United are giving away the ball far too much for this to be anywhere near over…
Good decision making all right. Was thinking myself that he would have ignored Rooney’s run for the second goal in the past and carried the ball into a tackle or screwed a shot wide himself but he released it at just the right time. Almunia just won’t do for Arsenal - I don’t know why Wenger is so loyal to him.
Very encouraging performance by United today - best of the season really given the quality of the opposition and the importance of the game. If Nani can play like this for the rest of the season then it gives a really different dimension to the attacking game. This was the closest I’ve seen to the team of the previous two seasons, the link ups between Nani and Rooney on counter-attack being reminiscent of the Ronaldo-Rooney partnership. The failings at the back in the absence of Ferdinand and Vidic were exposed again though, and United were lucky to only concede one today. If they can get one or both of them back for an extended period, I’d be confident of a fourth title in a row. Chelsea don’t look as good as they did at the start of the season. This is similar to last season, and I reckon this is the sign of an ageing team.
What a performance. United showed they mean business in this title race. Rooney was superb again. The Arsenal team couldnt deal with him. Nani showed the quality he has today. Well deserved Motm. Evans had a very good game at the back today. Looked more assured than recent weeks. United should push on here and have a real go at Chelsea now.
If that was a great performance then the standard in the premiership has gone to pot. Arsenal were shite and still had a heap of chances…Arshavin should have gone to specsavers
United played so well they made Arsenal look ordinary. United let Arsenal have their chances because quite frankly they didnt look a threat at all. Rooney had 2 great other chances to score but missed.
Shan, what do you make of this ‘green and gold til we are sold’ protest? The Glazers should get the green and gold scarves in the club shop as soon as possible - they’d fly out the door.
Good summation. Thought Rafael was hopeless in the first half but settled after the break. The United three in midfield were excellent as were Rooney and Nani.
Arsenal did create a good few chances alright but tactically were a mess and have been for some time. They get caught for numbers repeatedly, Song is a decent player but he isnt quick enough to cover for his central defenders being caught ahead of the ball. Also their forwards dont work anywhere near as hard as United’s so they can be easy to play against. Sure it isnt their natural game but look at Barcelona last season where even the likes of Messi would be pressing hard. Arsenal concede possession too easily. Arshavin had a nightmare but in fairness didnt hide. Denilson should never have started as Ramsey is a far superior player while Walcott should have been brought on at the break. They badly need to sign a striker also. Dont know why they dont take a punt on Pavluchenko. He is the kind of player they need. Bendtner was hopeless when introduced.
Yeah, Denilson and Bendtner are no more than semi-decent squad players. I don’t really see how Walcott being on the pitch for a longer period of time makes things better for them though. I’ve not found him to be very impressive. Whatever chance they had of winning the league realistically ended when van Persie got injured. Nani destroyed Clichy today, and I hear Ashley Young did the same on Wednesday night. That must be a worry for them too.
Thought Walcott was good when he came on. His pace gave Evra more to think about and he was forced back as a result. His pace gives something different to Arsenal too as they can be predictable going forward. Fabregas and Arshavin are capable of dribbling past players but arent massively quick neither is Rosicky or Nasri.
I’m waiting for this to come, it swept the ground yesterday straight after the game that he’d announced it in the dressing room with a formal one today.
Coulnd’t blame the man looking at that miserable lot yesterday.
Leon Best has signed for Newcastle. Best has scored nine goals for Coventry this season but has been muck for Ireland. Should be a good move for him tho.
Alex Bruce has gone on loan to Leicester. While Keano proves he still hasnt lost the eye for signing shit players with Daryl Murphy on his way in.
Thought Robbie Keane would be on his way to Villa but doesnt seem to be happening with just over an hour left in the transfer window…
Stephen Hunt looks likely to stay with Hull despite Wolves bidding £5m for him. Fair play to Hunt, a lot of people had doubts if he could cut it at EPL level but he is having a fine season. McCarthy should have gone for him in the summer when he was available but instead went for Andrew Surman???
