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29 October 2007, by Sean Gillen

“Thunderbolt” Nani fast becoming an Old Trafford favourite

Manchester United 4-1 Middlesbrough

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was full of praise for Nani after the Portuguese scored a magnificent goal as the champions hammered Middlesbrough at Old Trafford to record their eighth consecutive league win.

Nani got his second of the season after just three minutes, in what was a record-equalling fourth successive game in which the champions scored four goals. Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez (2) got the other goals in another display of superb attacking football.

“He’s a thunderbolt-hitter,” Ferguson joked. “It was a fantastic goal and Nani’s coming along very nicely. I thought I’d freshen it up and use him today instead of Giggs. I’ve got next Saturday to think about so I rested Ryan, but Nani came in and had a good impact.”

The 20-year-old, who started on the left flank opposite countryman Cristiano Ronaldo, gave the 76,000 strong home crowd the ideal start when he picked up possession on the halfway line and evaded two defenders before launching an unstoppable drive past Mark Schwarzer.

Trademark celebration

Celebrating with his traditional somersaults, it was the second occasion that Nani has treated his new fans to a long-range special, having already scored the winner against Tottenham earlier this season, although even that strike was overshadowed by his latest effort.

Middlesbrough reacted well to the setback, though, and drew level almost instantly when Frenchman Jeremie Aliadiere headed in Tuncay’s cross. The visitors would then go on to contest the opening half hour well, showing signs of continuing their recent good record at Old Trafford.

However, having played themselves back into the game, Boro shot themselves in the foot on 33 minutes when Downing dwelt in possession and Nani prodded the ball towards Rooney inside the area for the 21-year-old England forward to drill his shot into the top corner.

In what was a good team performance, United’s star man Ronaldo had a rare off-day, with the Portugal man missing two good chances to extend his side’s lead before the break and generally looking slightly off the pace throughout.

Rooney-Tevez partnership

It was the increasingly deadly Rooney-Tevez strike force that took centre stage after the break. Having already linked up once, resulting in Rooney firing over, the two combined for a fantastic goal ten minutes after the re-start.

Brazilian Anderson, winning rave reviews following his summer move from Porto, lifted the ball in to Tevez, who clipped a first-time flick on to Rooney. The England striker showed great awareness to backheel the ball into Tevez’s path, leaving the Argentine with the simple task of capping a great move by sliding the ball past Schwarzer.

Rooney, having scored in each of his last six games for club and country, was the best player on the pitch in the second half, and his lung-busting run five minutes from time set up Tevez to score his second with the aid of a deflection.

Man Utd:
van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand (Pique 73), Vidic, O’Shea, Ronaldo, Hargreaves (Fletcher 66), Anderson (Giggs 78), Nani, Rooney, Tevez
Yellow Cards: None

Middlesbrough:
Schwarzer, Young, Woodgate, Wheater, Taylor, O’Neil, Cattermole (Boateng 90), Rochemback, Downing, Aliadiere (Hutchinson 56), Tuncay (Lee 80)
Yellow Cards: Cattermole, Rochemback

Goals:
[1-0] Nani, 3
[1-1] Aliadiere, 6
[2-1] Rooney, 33
[3-1] Tevez, 55
[4-1] Tevez, 85