10 July 2007, by Sean Gillen

Alex Ferguson: “We’ve been tracking Nani for years”

Nani happy to be at “best club in the world”

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson revealed that the club had been following the progress of Sporting’s Nani for several years, while admitting that the growing interest in the wide man forced them into moving for him ahead of schedule.

Nani left Sporting for Old Trafford in a 25m euro move this summer, making the same move Cristiano Ronaldo made in 2003.

“We have known about Nani for quite a few years. It was the same time as Ronaldo in fact, of course he (Nani) was younger, but it was around the same time. Of course with Carlos Queiroz’s influence and knowledge in Portugal we were able to keep abreast of his progress,” said Ferguson.

“Sporting wanted to keep him for another year, but it was like it was with Ronaldo. We would have been happy to leave Ronaldo at Sporting for another season, but the circumstances forced us into action earlier than we expected.”

“It has been the same with Nani, but this is good because he’ll come to the club, learn what the club is all about and adapt quickly.”

“He is different to Cristiano in that he can play on both sides of the pitch but also in the middle. He is quick, has a terrific engine and I know we are getting a very talented, flexible player.”

Ferguson also confirmed that he expected to add Argentine forward Carlos Tevez to the star-studded United squad in the near future.

Following Ronaldo’s footsteps

Meanwhile Nani admits that the prospect of following Cristiano Ronaldo was an influence on his decision to join English champions Manchester United.

“My own impression is that I have joined the best club in the world,” he said. “The impression of Man United in Portugal is that it is one of the top clubs in the world.”

“My ambitions are the best for me and the club and I’ll try and play the best football I can to help the club achieve all their objectives.”

“Ronaldo? There was something in that. We both grew up at the same club and played together for some time, I know he has been successful here and has been playing very well, so that gave me an incentive to join him.”