Crewe 0 Manchester United XI 2: Match Report
The talk has been that Nani could be
set for a swift exit from Manchester United, with Monaco sporting
director Vadim Vasilyev admitting that the French side had been offered
the chance to sign the player.
Nani Scores Twice In The Match |
The
Russian told L'Equipe: ‘He has been proposed to us. He is a very good
player, but there have been no talks so far. We still have time to make a
few alterations before the end of the transfer window, if needed.’And
on Monday evening at the compact and half-empty Gresty Road, the winger
was handed the perfect preparation for the infamously sparse
attendances at Monaco's Stade Louis II stadium.
For a Ligue 2 game in January earlier
this year, Monaco attracted just 4,089 to the provincial stadium that is
destined to welcome Champions League football in the coming seasons.
Here, Nani performed in front of a slightly larger audience, with 5,077
present to see Crewe take on a predominantly youthful United XI. Monaco will begin their first season
back in the top flight with a 2 point deduction, a punishment for, of
all things, a pitch invasion.
Here, Nani saw the United travelling
band in mischievous, and occasionally idiotic mood. They went through
the repertoire, singing the names of the returning Nemanja Vidic and new
manager David Moyes, and then rolled back through the Sir Alex Ferguson
years, serenading Jaap Stam, Park Ji-Sung, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt,
who was present in the United technical area.
In the second half, they demanded, 'We want Bebe', who was duly introduced from the substitutes bench with half-an-hour to go. Earlier on, the 952 United supporters
threatened to turn menacing. As Nani stood over a free-kick twenty-five
yards out, red flares were lit and thrown towards the playing surface in
front of the rather comically named Ice Cream Van Stand.
As it was, Nani appeared inspired, setting off the real pyrotechnics with a stunning free-kick to open the scoring. For so long, United have hoped and
waited for the time when the Portuguese international would step into
the shoes of his countryman Cristiano Ronaldo and become the prime
creative force. So far, it has been a frustrating watch.
Nani veers too often between the
infuriating to the majestic, though last season was predominantly the
former, and fell increasingly out of favour. His free-kick here had shades of
Ronaldo. Nani's lime green right boot placed the ball at speed over the
wall and past Alan Martin in the Crewe goal before the keeper could move
an inch.
In fact, he was terrific for all of the 65 minutes he played, always on the move, skipping by defenders - simply a cut above. United came under pressure for the
first time in the opening stages of the second-half, with Crewe striking
the bar and narrowly missing out on an equaliser during the subsequent
goalmouth scramble.
It also coincided with a shaky spell for Vidic, who was making his return after a bout of sciatica. In the first-half, the club captain
was unruffled as United controlled possession. But after the break, the
Serb became rattled by the lightning pace of youngster Max Clayton. The
18-year-old stretched the experience centre-back, taking him out to the
wings and out of his comfort zone.
In all it was a valuable, if not impressive, hour; he looks a good few games short of the required match sharpness. It was Nani who once again stepped up
to seal the victory, wriggling free of two defenders - and resisting the
temptation to go down - to wrong-foot the goalkeeper and slot a low
finish into the bottom corner.
Moyes' plans for the winger remain to be seen, but Nani issued a timely reminder of his abilities. On the right wing, Antonio Valencia,
making his first appearance of pre-season, appeared refreshed and
provided a constant outlet. The end product was at times lacklustre, but
there was enough about the Ecuadorian's performance to suggest Wilfried
Zaha will face a battle fora starting berth on the flank.
As for Nani, he has a year remaining
on his contract and this summer would appear to be crunch time for his
United future. But if he can replicate this form in front of Moyes,
there may be even more competition for the exciting Zaha as the new
manager enters his first season in charge.
Speaking
afterwards, he said: 'Everyone has to prove themselves because we have a
new manager with new ideas. But he knows us because we have played
against him in these past years in the Premeir League. Now, with a
couple of weeks together, he will understand all the personalities.'
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