Manchester United Transfer News: Louis Van Gaal Taunted as Nani Eyes Return

Louis van Gaal's decision to loan winger Nani to Sporting Lisbon—and the player's stunning form since moving back to his boyhood club—has drawn taunts from former Sporting manager Paulo De Alvandro, as reported by the Daily Star's Nick Lustig.

De Alvandro told A Bola he is sure United will regret their decision by the end of the season, and the Red Devils will be dying to have him back.

"It is inevitable that Manchester United will want the player back at the end of the season," he said. "Van Gaal will be sorry to not have gambled on him sooner."

The 28-year-old was surplus to requirements at Old Trafford in the summer of 2014 and completed a loan move back to Sporting, with the Portuguese club not paying United any loan fee or picking up a penny of Nani's wages.

The winger has scored five goals in 19 matches since the start of the season, per WhoScored.com, including three in four Champions League outings. Playing with confidence, he once again resembles the star who lined up for the Red Devils during the early part of his career.

Nani returned to Old Trafford on Tuesday to play in Portugal's 1-0 friendly win over Argentina, drawing the ire of the home crowd for this challenge on current Mancunian Angel Di Maria, as shared by a fan:

"

Man United fans look away now. Nani just clattered @angry_dimaria https://t.co/Fx78q3mrd1

— Cheers Geoff (@Cheers_geoff) November 18, 2014"

Speaking to reporters after the match, Nani said things are going great in Portugal before talking about a potential return to the Premier League, via the Daily Mail's Sunni Upal:

"

It's great. I'm doing well.

I'm trying to do my best. Things are going well and I hope it continues like that.

[On returning to United] Why not? I went out to play more and get to my best, and it is an opportunity. We will see.

"

Nani joined the Red Devils in 2007, winning four Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy under Sir Alex Ferguson. Still only 28 years old, the Portugal international is demonstrating he can be a deadly force out wide when given an extended run of matches, something Van Gaal has undoubtedly noticed.

While Di Maria won't be making space for Nani in Van Gaal's starting XI any time soon, the Portugal international's similar profile and athletic ability make him an attractive option off the bench moving forward.

Uncredited/Associated Press

Nani will have to prove his hot start to the season wasn't a flash in the pan, but if he can do just that, De Alvandro's taunts won't sound so crazy.

Meanwhile, compatriot Fabio Coentrao could be allowed to leave Real Madrid as Los Blancos prepare a move for Valencia's Jose Luis Gaya, per the Daily Star's Alex Harris.

The 26-year-old left-back has made just one La Liga appearance all season, according to WhoScored.com. With plenty of potential suitors on the open market, Real could choose to move Coentrao now while his value is still high.

Juventus and AS Roma are also rumoured to be interested in the defender, who only recently started training again after missing several months with an injury, according to Harris.

Marcelo has a stranglehold on the starting left-back position in Madrid, and Coentrao isn't expected to see his playing time rise even after returning to full health.

His lack of minutes led to this little rhyme from Barcelona-based paper Sport:

The arrival of 19-year-old Gaya would only further complicate his situation, as the Valencia man has quickly established himself as Spain's left-back of the future. A transfer for Coentrao would become almost inevitable should the youngster make the move to the Spanish capital.

When healthy, Coentrao has the potential to be one of the world's best left-backs, combining excellent athleticism and dribbling skills with superb defensive abilities. Real likely won't part with their star for any cheap amount, despite his limited impact on the squad, but there's no denying he would immediately make the Red Devils' squad better.

However, he would block the development of talented youngster Luke Shaw. If Van Gaal decides the former Southampton man is the future of the team at the position, bringing in another left-back may not be the wisest path to take.

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