After being the odd-man out in the last couple of matches, Nani showed just how good he vital he will be for the rest of the season for Manchester United against Fulham.
As the architect of both goals that Dimitar Berbatov and Antonio Valencia scored, Nani will offer Sir Alex Ferguson a welcomed selection headache with four fully fit, attack hungry wingers for the match against Chelsea.
Only twice have Fulham lost this season by more than two goals, so for the Reds to have teased and tormented the Cottagers at Old Trafford shows just how good Sir Alex’s squad can be.
The Gaffer made no fewer than eight changes from the team that earned their first victory, a 1-0 win, at Stamford Bridge for seven years, but today’s team put in another disciplined performance against the Cottagers.
From the start of the season, Sir Alex stated that every player in his squad would play a vital role in the club’s potential success this season, but it was a couple of consistent contributors that led the Reds.
To many people’s disbelief, United has now opened up a 10-point gap over Arsenal, albeit them having two games in hand, at the top of the Premier League table, but that is down to an understanding mentality that permeates through all of all his players.
Understanding
After being left out for the majority of the last five matches, Berbatov showed freshness and desire to make sure that Reds got off to the best of starts and not forced to dig themselves out of another hole.
Wayne Rooney’s recent form has kept Berbatov on the substitutes’ bench, but when he has been given a chance over the last month, he has risen to the occasion to provide a spark.
Even though, he is the one at the top of statistical goal scoring chart for United, Berbatov is humble enough to know that he still serves as just a member of the squad that is focused solely on team objectives.
Many think that Berbatov has been given the raw deal for missing the last month of the season, but Ferguson knows when a player is about to be burnt out, because he sees them everyday in training.
The United boss probably saw the same thing happening to Nani, who looked half the player he was at the beginning of the season after being on the wrong end of that horror tackle by Jamie Carragher in March.
Influence
That little rest seems to be the added lift that Nani needed to get back on track, and the two-footed winger produced a terrorizing performance against Fulham. With Valencia bombing down the right flank, Nani played down the left and Nani left his marker, Chris Baird, spinning in circles for much of the match.
Nani registered his 17th Premier League assist against Fulham, but he also played an equally integral part in the second as well. Not many players in the top flight can really offer what Nani does for United, because he can beat his man on either side and shoot with equal power no matter which foot.
His ability to switch wings prevents Sir Alex from being put in a bind with playing him or Valencia, who plays the ball predominately with his right foot.
Needing a minimum of 14 points from their remaining six Barclays Premier League games left, Manchester United can begin to see the finish line of the league season, but they will need to remain focus to overcome their any surge from their title rivals.
Submitted by The United Religion
