Stoke City vs. Manchester United: Is Nani the Key to Red Devils' Success in EPL?

Manchester United and Stoke City played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday, the first time that the Red Devils have dropped points this Premier League season.

The only goal for United came from Portuguese winger Nani, who has been in fantastic form all season long.

Nani's goal-scoring ability and crossing skills on the wings have become a massive part of Manchester United's success this season in all competitions, and that will continue as the season progresses.

Nani has scored some wonderful goals this season, such as his wonderful strike against Chelsea last week at Old Trafford. He's aiming to be the world's best player.

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"That's one dream I've got: to be the best in the world," he told Inside United via ESPN. "But I don't let it frustrate me. I have other priorities like winning trophies with the team. Hopefully, when I have finished playing football, people will say, 'Nani was a fantastic player who won a lot of titles and beat records at the club.' I know I have the condition to be among the select best players in the world but I have to work hard and show that."

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The 24-year-old is rapidly becoming a top player in the Premier League and is every bit as crucial to United's success this season as goalkeeper David De Gea and even center forward Wayne Rooney.

Nani's pace and dribbling skills wreak havoc on opposing teams' left and right backs, and his ability to cut in from the right side and score great goals with his left foot reminds fans of football's best wingers, such as Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.

An underrated part of Nani's game is his passing. He led the Premier League in assists last season and is magnificent at crossing the ball into the box from out wide.

There's no reason to believe Nani can't be a top goal scorer and assist man in the Premier league this season, and his stats are not that different from another Portuguese legend of Manchester United, Christiano Ronaldo.

In their first 100 Premier League appearances, both Nani and Ronaldo scored 19 goals, but Nani has the massive edge in assists, 33-12.

It took Nani a while to get used to the speed and power of the Premier League, and just like Ronaldo, Nani will burst into a superstar and become one of football's best players.

Manchester United may have its best chance to beat Barcelona this season, as well as win the Premier League again, and the play of Nani will determine whether or not they win multiple trophies this year.

Image from Sky Sports, found here.

Nicholas Goss is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. Follow @NicholasGoss35.