Should Man United start Nani against Sociedad?

For some Manchester United supporters, Nani’s signing of a new contract was viewed in much the same way Samuel Johnson saw second marriages: “The triumph of hope over experience.”

Luis Carlos Almeida de Cunha, commonly known as Nani, is one of the most frustrating footballers in living memory. The man has had more false dawns than Groundhog Day and yet there are those that will assure you one day something will click and everything will fall into place.

There was a general feeling that the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson would aid the Portuguese winger and yet the signs are not good. After a particularly dismal display at home against Stoke, the player was booed off by some sections of the Old Trafford faithful. This is almost unprecedented in the modern era at United and, though it’s highly unlikely to help a player bereft of confidence, but it does suggest some fans are running out of patience.

Since being substituted in that game (which the home side subsequently turned around), Nani has played no part in wins over Norwich and Fulham. Indeed, Antonio Valencia, another winger who has struggled with a combination of form and fitness in recent seasons, impressed on Saturday’s trip to Craven Cottage, opening the scoring with his first league goal since April.

With the manager seemingly reticent to field Wilfried Zaha in the league or Champions League, Moyes would be wise to stick with Valencia for tonight’s game against Real Sociedad. The Ecuadorian international needs a run in the side after a disappointing season for him personally last time around.

There is also the old adage that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. United produced arguably their two finest performances of the season against Sociedad at home and Fulham away on the weekend. Valencia started both games and was able to recapture something like his majestic form of a couple of seasons ago.

By his final season at the Old Trafford helm, Ferguson appeared to have reached the end of his tether. Nani made just seven Premier League starts in 2012-13 and it looked to all the world as though the player was on his way out. The arrival of Moyes, however, changed everything. Weeks later, he had signed a new five-year contract.

Nani Shot Accuracy

Nani is a confidence player. He needs to feel wanted and get a regular run of games in his best position. The player is infinitely more technically gifted than Ashley Young and it is high time his natural ability was finally complemented with intelligent decision-making. There are very few players at United who can do what Nani does, this season he must prove his worth.

Nani Take-Ons This Season

United supporters were extremely disappointed with their club’s activity during the last transfer window. It is a cliche for a manager to suggest that an existing player will be “like a new signing,” but in the case of a confident Nani buoyed by the faith shown in him with a five-year deal, one can only hope that it turns out to be the case.

For tonight though, Valencia deserves to retain his place in the side.