Manchester United Fans Club

Luis Nani is convinced a Premier League and Champions League double is a possibility for the Red Devils this season. The £17million Portugal international is adapting to life following his summer arrival from Sporting Lisbon

Sir Alex Ferguson had the strongest squad ever at present that the 21 year-old did not even make the bench for Sunday’s win at Liverpool,
although he has been an effective performer when called upon and scored a hugely important winner against Tottenham earlier in the season.

Having been told by Ferguson he would not play regularly during his maiden campaign, Nani is content with his impact so far. And he remains optimistic he can end the season with a very impressive medal collection.

“I know it will be very difficult to win both trophies,” he said.

“But I also know it is is possible because Manchester United have a great team and a fantastic squad and we play good football.

“The Premier League is hard because although Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are the teams you expect to be at the top, you do not get one easy game.

“There are certain teams you watch on TV and think it will not be that hard against them. But when you actually meet them on the pitch, it is a completely different matter. They all seem to try really hard because they are playing Manchester United.”

Red Devils will be concentrating their energies on retaining their title, the pursuit start with Everton on Old Trafford on Sunday lunch time.

Nani will hope to be involved, having made steady progress at United so far, aided by the presence of fellow countryman and good friend Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Having Cristiano around has really helped me,” said the Amadora-born player.

“At the start, it was quite hard and I didn’t speak English at all. But when I didn’t understand something, he could tell me what has been said.

“I am very good friends with Cristiano and have been for a long time. But the entire squad gets on and now, I speak a little bit of English, we joke all the time.” Nani’s mastery of the English language is improving in tandem with his play.

However, he is now having to get used to the long-held British tradition of festive football. Even if he is not involved against Everton, it is virtually certain Nani will figure in a packed fortnight which also includes trips to Sunderland and West Ham, plus a New Year’s Day encounter with Birmingham before the FA Cup match with Aston Villa on January 5.

For a player who is used to putting his feet up and relaxing at this time of year, the sheer volume of matches has come as a major shock. It will be a different type of Christmas Day for me that is for sure,” he said.

“In Portugal we never play at this time of year. Here we have five games. It is unbelievable, crazy.”