Is it time for Manchester United to cash in?
Nani’s career at Manchester United is at an all-time low, from his long-running contract dispute to alleged fisticuffs with a reserve team player, he seems to be heading for the exit door fast.
After almost being guaranteed a place in the United team, he now faces a struggle to get back into the squad, let alone the starting line-up.
The Portuguese international’s poor form at the start of this season was clear to see and he has proved to be a constant source of frustration, with his poor decision-making and selfishness on the ball.
The events taking place off the pitch have been well-publicised and do not bode well under a manager who moves any player on at the slightest hint of dissent in the ranks.
United and Nani have failed to reach an agreement over a new contract; and this led to claims that the winger was willing to see out the remainder of his current deal and leave on a free transfer.
Zenit St Petersburg were his main pursuers in the summer, but were reportedly put off by the player’s unrealistic wage demands of £130,000 a week, meaning his unsettling presence continued to rumble on into the new campaign.
Nani has also clashed with United’s Under-21 player Davide Petrucci, after a feisty challenge by the 20-year-old in training, causing Nani to later confront the youngster and reportedly land a punch before a number of players broke up the scuffle.
It is a dramatic fall from grace for a player who was once held in the same breath as a certain Cristiano Ronaldo, as both players came through the ranks at Sporting Lisbon and played together at Old Trafford for two seasons.
As Ronaldo left for Real Madrid, there were hopes that Nani could take up the mantle left by his compatriot and use his own pace, dribbling abilities and explosive shot to fire United to glory.
But the fans were willing to give the player time and believed that he may take a couple of years to develop, just as Ronaldo did before becoming a world-beater, although for one reason or another, it has not quite worked out.
There have been a few highlights though, with the 2010/11 season being arguably his best season in a United shirt; Nani scored ten goals on course to another Premier League title; and was named as the club’s player of the year.
Nani has also produced a number of fantastic strikes during his time at the club and is still capable of winning a match on his own with a moment of brilliance.
Although, it is his lack of awareness that is perhaps his greatest weakness, with Nani often failing to correctly judge when to find a pass or shoot at goal.
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His acts of petulance and hot-headedness have also not helped his cause; and Ferguson now sees the likes of Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young as more reliable options on the wing.
A big-money offer from one of Europe’s heavyweights may now be too good to resist for a player who has had ample chances to establish himself as a key figure in the side.
Consequently, Nani must re-assess his career and address his weaknesses in order to avoid becoming another player to squander their undoubted talent.
But he must do this quickly as the unforgiving lights at Old Trafford begin to fade.