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Say what you what, but the primary objective for a winger is to create goals. If their wide men can pitch in defensively and, better still, score a few, most managers would be more than happy. But Nani’s creative well hasn’t run dry just in terms of goals – he is also failing to create anything of note for his teammates.
The Portuguese has made 11 chances in eight league games, and his passing accuracy of 77% leaves a lot to be desired in a team that, at least at the start of the season – had aspirations for domestic and European success.
Nani has failed to eradicate the wayward crossing from his game, and a breeze of the statistics is not easy reading for United fans. Against Liverpool – one of three crosses completed; Sunderland – none of six; Stoke – one of five (a game in which he was booed by the Old Trafford crowd); Everton – one of three; Newcastle – two of six.
One area in which Nani has excelled this season is take-ons, completing 22 of 32 in the league for a 69% completion rate. Yet his ability to beat his man with ease only frustrates further when given the fact that he is unreliable in delivering an end product.
These are simply not the figures one would expect of a multi-million pound winger and elite international, who should be reaching his peak years at 27. Instead, he is behind nine other United players in terms of chances created, and if those statistics persist, this season has brutally shown Moyes that he can no longer afford to carry passengers like Nani in his squad.
3. He doesn’t put in the hard graft when he has to
Nani’s attacking travails would be less pronounced if he were more akin to Antonio Valencia, who is going through the same problems as the Portuguese winger in terms of output. While the Ecuadorian has had a poor season in offensive terms, he has endeared himself to Moyes through his defensive work rate, often filling in at right-back when Rafael has been substituted off, or a tactical switch is in order.
Nani, however, has only completed an average of one defensive action per league game, which is in direct contrast to his Champions League performance against Bayer Leverkusen in which he made seven defensive actions, including six interceptions.
That is the Nani that Manchester United fans want – the hard-working, creative threat that is a nuisance up and down the line and can offer opposition defences a torrid time from either flank or through the centre.
Unfortunately, injuries, a loss of confidence and abject form mean that Nani’s future prospects at United look bleak. Even with United is such a dire state of affairs, the Portuguese has struggled to get any game time this season.
One would hope that Nani can regain the form that so endeared him to his team-mates three years ago, for the talent certainly exists – anybody who watched his beautiful control and delicate lob at Leverkusen would not question the talent he possesses.
However, it seems as though Nani and Manchester United must part ways if the maddening, mercurial misfit is to find his spark again.
