Portuguese star Nani blames Sir Alex Ferguson for mis-managing his career
From staff writers
November 12, 2009 Portuguese star Nani has put his Manchester United career on the line after hitting out at manager Sir Alex Ferguson's treatment of him in an explosive interview.
The 23-year-old winger, who hasn’t lived up to expectations following a £16 million move to Old Trafford in 2007 from Sporting Lisbon, says Ferguson mis-managed his career and broke promises made to him.
In the interview with Portuguese newspaper, I, Nani also reveals his confusion with the manager’s selection policy, frustration at being regularly omitted from big games and dealing with Ferguson's temper.
"Ferguson is a very complicated man,†Nani said.
"He's tough. If things are all right, then they are all right. But when he thinks something is wrong, everything is screwed.
"He can go from complimenting you to just plain trashing you in a matter of minutes. Has it happened to me? Hell, yes! He'll say 'Nani, how could you miss this or this'?"
Nani was expected to shoulder much of the creative burden following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Real Madrid earlier this year, but he has only featured in 13 games this season and scored two goals.
"People expect more from me and it's not easy. But they are also not doing what they said they were going to," Nani said.
"I know it would be better if I scored more goals.
"I can have a spectacular game but nobody guarantees me I will be starting the next match. It shatters your confidence.
"I did not play the important matches, against Liverpool, Manchester City or Tottenham. Not playing these games, I am a bit sad. But for now I am not considering leaving."
Ferguson, in the past, has shown a ruthless hand with dissenting players so it will be interesting to see how he reacts to Nani’s outburst.
He transferred David Beckham to Real Madrid after the infamous boot throwing incident in 2003 while Dutch defender Jaap Stam was also sent on his way after he released a controversial autobiography in 2001.