A Progress Report on Sporting's Manchester United Loanee Nani

Nani has recently talked about a potential return to Manchester United, which may be something of an indication of how well things are going for him on loan at Sporting.

Nani said, per Ian Herbert in The Independent:

"

They are my club. I was at home there and I have to demonstrate that there are always possibilities. I have nothing against Man United. I came here to play and get games. I am focussed back here at Sporting.

"

According to Herbert, Nani has been involved in some of the political difficulties between Sporting President Bruno de Carvalho and the playing staff, of whom Nani is described by Herbert as the "de facto team leader."

Apparently, positive comments made by Nani in the wake of the recent game at Old Trafford between Portugal and Argentina had been "interpreted in his own country as a consequence of the frosty recent relations" between the player and the president, per Herbert again, and these more recent quotes were in fact designed to cool tensions between Nani and Sporting.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

Sporting are currently eighth in the Portuguese league, which is a poor start for a team that finished last season in second place. They are, however, second in their Champions League group, behind Chelsea and ahead of Schalke and NK Maribor.

Sporting are currently more effective in Europe than at home, and so is Nani, who has been more prolific in the Champions League than domestically. He has scored four goals in five European appearances for Sporting—which is as many as he scored in his 49 Champions League appearances for United.

In the league, Nani has scored two goals in nine games, which is a less impressive return. However, in early November, rumours emerged that Louis van Gaal was considering recalling the winger, per Duncan Castles writing for Goal.com.

Since then, Nani's good form in Europe has continued, with Sky Sports viewers naming his goal against Maribor on Tuesday "Goal of the Night."

That goal highlights the best and worst of the Portuguese. His initial control is good, but his heavy second touch gives the defender time to block his shot. At this point, the move is familiar to United fans, who have grown accustomed to Nani spurning chances during the latter part of his Old Trafford career.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

However, the final part of the move is reminiscent of the peak of Nani's form—around 2010—when he consistently terrorised defences with incisive running. He racked up 10 goals and 15 assists during the 2010/11 season and 10 and 13 respectively during 2011/12, before slowing down until last season, during which he rarely featured for David Moyes' side, scoring 1 goal and registering no assists.

As well as his goals, Nani has provided a pair of assists in the Champions League this season. He also has two assists domestically, per EyeOfTheGame.com.

Nani received a rapturous reception from Sporting fans when he returned to Portugal. However good his form is at the moment, it is hard to imagine a similar outpouring of joy among United fans should he return.

He does still have admirers among the United faithful, who point to his purple patches as evidence of his quality. It would appear that, for now, moving back to Portugal has given him a chance to play himself back into form.

Whether that good run of form means his return would improve United remains unclear, given how out of sorts he has been in the past two seasons. However, other than Angel Di Maria, none of United's wide players have impressed this season. It is easy to see where Nani could slot into the 4-3-3/4-5-1 hybrid Van Gaal used for several games in October and November.

Given how many question marks remain about Nani's ability to succeed as a United player in the long term, perhaps him remaining in Portugal is best for all concerned. After all, given his scoring form in Europe in particular, he does seem to be having quite a good time.

All stats per ESPNFC.com except where otherwise stated.