Nani’s high hopes game-changer Garnacho can bring United glory
IN another miserable season for Manchester United one player has been a ray of light amid the gloom – Alejandro Garnacho.
The 19-year-old was the only man to emerge with credit from Thursday’s crushing 4-3 defeat at Chelsea, his two goals putting the team on the brink of victory before their dramatic late collapse.
Former United star Nani knows what it takes to succeed at Old Trafford, and he is convinced his fellow winger can help lead the fallen giants back to the top after a decade of mediocrity.
Nani, now 37, said: “When I watch Garnacho he reminds me of myself. He even has the No.17 shirt – the same number I wore. When he changed to that number this season, he started scoring some goals.
“He’s not afraid of taking defenders on, making the runs, making assists.
“He’s a very good player, he has so much time to improve his game and get stronger. He will be fantastic in the future.”
Nani spent eight seasons at United from 2007 to 2015. He played in 229 games, scoring 40 goals and winning four Premier League titles, one Champions League, two League Cups and the Club World Cup. He is now making a documentary about his career.
In the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo for his first couple of years at the club, he flourished when his Portuguese compatriot left for Real Madrid, becoming the club’s Player of the Year in 2010-11.
Nani became a cult hero with the Red Devils, a status Garnacho has already achieved in only his second full season.
“At United it’s about going faceto-face with defenders, trying to dribble past opponents and changing the game,” said Nani. “Garnacho is a player who has been showing that in
the last few months. His game is more similar to mine when I was at United than Cristiano’s. He’s a very exciting player – I hope in the future he can win titles with the club and help them to be successful again.”
The Chelsea implosion was another tough watch for the fans, a 12th Premier League defeat this season all but ending any hopes of a Champions League place and nudging manager Erik ten Hag closer to the sack.
“There have been times when it’s been difficult to watch the team,” said Nani.
“We’re not used to being in this position in the table.We were always a team used to competing for first position. The last few years the team hasn’t been able to do that but we know it’s a process and you have to readjust the team, the club.
“We had so many good years in the past. When you have that you have to accept some moments like this will come.
“There’s pressure because there are big names in the past who did well for the club so there will be comparisons. Those playing today need to show up.
“Now it’s a different time, with different characters. At that time we were more like warriors. We were more like, ‘We go to the field to fight to win’. It didn’t matter the way we played, we found a way to win.”
Nani knows how challenging it is to succeed at United, given the huge expectation on the players, and that explains his sympathy for those who struggle.
“The pressure is always there because you play for a big club,” he added.
“You need to perform every single time you play and if you don’t learn quickly you’re not going to play in the team.
“But to play for United is different to playing for any other team in the world, especially at this time because we want to win titles again.”