Nani: I can be one of world's best

Nani: I can be one of world's best
(PA) Wednesday 10 February 2010
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Manchester United winger Nani has insisted he never thought about quitting Old Trafford, even in the depths of his miserable form. The Portugal star's reversal of fortunes recently has been impressive.

While most United fans would have been glad to see the back of Nani during last month's transfer window, the 23-year-old has ended up becoming one of the most influential figures in the Red Devils' title surge. His performance at Arsenal recently stood out, with the skill he showed before forcing Manuel Almunia to concede an own goal among the season's highlights so far.
When you are feeling low and things aren't going well, you do feel alone. But I never thought about quitting and going back to Portugal.
Manchester United's Nani

Nani is now in line to face Aston Villa this evening, which would be his fifth start on the trot, and welcome redemption that has earned him long overdue respect from the United faithful. Yet the former Sporting player has revealed that even when the criticism was at its fiercest, he did not consider throwing in the towel.

"I never wanted to go," he told the Manchester Evening News. "When you are feeling low and things aren't going well, you do feel alone and there have been times like that. But I never thought about quitting and going back to Portugal.

"I was in a bad position sometimes and it wasn't easy to get back up again. Of course, your confidence does suffer on occasions and you get down. But I have shown I don't get depressed too easily.

"I am a strong personality. If you are not a strong character then it will drag you down. I am not like that. I am sure I have the quality to be one of the best in the world. I can achieve that."
I am a strong personality. I am sure I have the quality to be one of the best in the world. I can achieve that.
Manchester United's Nani

Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping for more of the same from Nani at Villa Park this evening. Although United have not lost at Villa since 1995, Martin O'Neill's side ended a 29-year wait for an Old Trafford victory earlier this season and are pressing hard for a coveted top-four place.

Veteran duo Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes both stand by for recalls, meaning record signing Dimitar Berbatov could miss out as Ferguson has tended to use Wayne Rooney as a lone striker. Nemanja Vidic also has an outside chance of being involved after overcoming a nerve problem in his leg that has kept him on the sidelines throughout 2010 so far.