Nani has revealed the “best thing” that he learned from one Manchester United legend under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson during his time at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson brought Nani and Anderson to Old Trafford in 2007 after Manchester United signed the pair from Sporting CP and Porto respectively.
Nani ascended to cult hero status during his time at the Red Devils and the 38-year-old Portuguese winger could show moments of brilliance with his flair and skills.
However, the former United star failed to live up to the high expectations on his shoulders and often struggled to consistently show his talent on the pitch.
During his time at Old Trafford, Nani lifted four Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy and two League Cups under United legend Ferguson.
Nani struggled to establish himself as a regular after former United manager Ferguson retired in 2013 and was loaned back to Sporting CP in 2014.
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Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
What Nani told Rio Ferdinand about Man Utd legend Ryan Giggs is a real eye-opener about his time at Old Trafford
Speaking to ex-Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand, Nani insisted that Ryan Giggs was the “master” of his position during the Welshman’s legendary career.
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Ryan Giggs was a devastating winger for United in his prime and the 51-year-old former Wales boss is regarded as one of the best Premier League players ever.
Nani admitted that it “took time” for him to adapt to the demands of playing as a winger in the Premier League compared to his experience at Sporting CP in Portugal.
When asked about Giggs, he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents: “No, Ryan Giggs was the master of that position, you know.
“But for me to understand that, it took time. Because when I arrived in the team, I had my way of playing.
“I was [a] very individual player, I wanted to show, to prove, I wanted to score, I wanted to make my own game.
“But not because I wanted to be on the top of anyone. It’s because it was natural from where I came from […].
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What Man Utd cult hero Nani learned from Ryan Giggs and what he saw from his former teammate on the pitch
Nani was asked about his time with Ryan Giggs and the ex-United and Portugal star revealed that the Welshman taught him a lot to exploit the space as a winger.
“I learn to use the space,” he continued.
“Because for me the space was not existing. I was creating my own space. I can have three players around me, four players, I was not thinking about that, I just wanted the ball and then I want to beat these four players.
“But sometimes just using the space instead of taking the ball you are free. You beat these four players with just one movement and you are on the ball or you are just to make an assist to your teammate.
“So, this was the best thing I learned from him because he’s so intelligent the way he moves on the field.”
Nani would leave Old Trafford in 2015 and the former Portugal winger went on to play for the likes of Orlando City, Melbourne Victory and Adana Demirspor.
The United cult hero returned to his native homeland in 2024 with Portuguese outfit Estrela da Amadora before he called it time on his career last December.