Sir Alex Wants Nani To Stay

Sir Alex Ferguson has stated his desire to keep Nani at Manchester United and revealed talks are ongoing with the player’s agent.

Portuguese international Nani, whose contract expires at the end of next season, has been the subject of intense media speculation in recent months with many publications claiming the winger has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford, linking him with moves to various clubs in Europe.

However, when speaking during his weekly press conference at Carrington, the boss was quick to quash such rumours and claimed the 26-year-old is very much part of his plans for the future.

“We want to keep him, there's no doubt about that,” Sir Alex stated.

“He's capable of scoring incredible goals. His goal against Everton, when he dinked the keeper after playing a couple of one-twos, was incredible. And the goal against Tottenham the year before, where he dinked the goalkeeper after playing a one-two, was another one.

"The boy has an incredible talent for winning matches. He's one of the best match-winners in the game, and I include the whole of Europe in that.

“David Gill's been speaking to his agent for quite a few weeks. It's entirely up to the boy - he has a year and a half left. I think he wants guaranteed first-team football. He can guarantee himself that. Performances like the other night can guarantee that.

"We're trying our best to keep him because he's such a match-winner."

Nani has missed much of this season as a result of a hamstring injury and has only just returned to full fitness, most recently coming off the bench during Monday’s 2-1 win over Reading to score once and set up Javier Hernandez, earning ManUtd.com’s Man of the Match award as a result.

Now in rude health, the Portuguese winger has added to Sir Alex's already pounding selection headache with crucial matches in the title race, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League approaching – but as the boss admits, it's a welcome problem at this stage of the season.

“Nani was out with an injury for six weeks or more," said Sir Alex. "We sent him back to Portugal for treatment and tried to get the injury to settle. He's never really had an injury.

“Now he's back fit, training well, he's a consideration. There's no doubt about that. It gives me a headache because Antonio Valencia has been a fantastic player for us and I know Nani likes playing on the right.

"We like to play Nani on the left sometimes. We also have Ashley Young who can play on the left and we have Ryan Giggs who can play there if we want him to play in a different way.

"Our options are fantastic. I think that puts us in a strong position."