Nani: What Does the Future Hold for Manchester United's Mercurial Winger?

April 15, 2012.

On as a second half sub, Nani finishes off a 4-0 rout of Aston Villa, calmly side-footing past a helpless Shay Given.

An unimportant moment in a match long considered over bar the shouting.

But the strike is Nani's first league goal in over four months, a frustrating period for the Manchester United winger mostly spent recovering from a metatarsal injury suffered in a game against Arsenal the previous January.

It has been Antonio Valencia during this period of time who has become the team's default attacking playmaker, creating and scoring vital goals for a team pushing for an unlikely 13th Premier League trophy.

Not that Nani's ability and skill has ever been in question.

It is rather his consistency that is doubted.

And as Valencia impressed with Nani helpless on the sidelines, rumours of a potential move away from the club began to swirl, Juventus looking the most likely suitors.

But why is this?

Nani had been named club Player's Player of the Season only last year.

He had practically single-handedly carried the team during a difficult period with Rooney's transfer request throwing the club into turmoil.

But for every moment of genius, and there have been plenty, there were the days when Nani would choose the wrong pass, shoot when the right pass was available, frustrating teammates and fans in equal measure.

There had been past public expressions of dismay aimed towards Sir Alex, the ultimate sacrilege for any Red Devil.

But Nani somehow survived when many before would have had been given a quick shove out the back door without so much as a "goodbye."

Some wondered if the Scot was going soft in his old age.

Some wondered if Nani's potential was worth the histrionics, the temperamental baggage.

Nani's real breakthrough from enigmatic fringe player to club star came during a vital away match at the Emirates in 2009.

Seemingly jostled into the corner by two Arsenal players, the winger somehow squeezed past them with a neat back-heel, beat another one-on-one, before lifting a deft chip over a helpless Manuel Almunia.

"Hallelujah. He's got it!"

But in retrospect, this moment feels like a false dawn.

It seems the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo's throne has not yet made himself known.

Let's go back further.

August 26, 2007.

Manchester United play host to Tottenham Hotspur in an underwhelming early season clash.

United have only scored once in their three previous league games, amassing only two points in the process.

Some are questioning United's pedigree, some are calling for the head of Sir Alex.

With the score locked at 0-0 and time dwindling, new signing Luis Nani picks up the ball deep in the opposition half with his back to goal, swiftly turns, advancing a few feet in the process and unleashes an unstoppable shot into the top corner, single-handedly winning the game in the process.

United will proceed to win their next seven league games, and eventually claim their second league title since 2003.

For Nani, it seems anything is possible.

Words as true today as they were then.