Nani out of Man Utd... but who is in?

Surely Luis Nani has played his last game for Manchester United.

An injury to Ashley Young may be responsible for the Portuguese winger's extended lease of life.

However, rather than grab the chance with both hands (or feet), Nani has proceeded to, in typical style, get worse with every game.

Sir Alex could have played David De Gea on the left flank on Sunday against Liverpool in the first half and he would have probably done a better job.

When Scholes came on for Nani in the second half the sigh of relief among the Old Trafford faithfull was palpable.

Perhaps, Nani has been made to feel unwelcome in the run-up to the season. There were enough press reports suggesting Fergie wanted him gone.

Now, neither seem to have any choice.

Manchester United have often looked over their shoulder in the past two seasons and looked at Arsenal and Andrei Arshavin and feared the worst.

After his four-goal wonder game, Arsenal would have been sure they had a winner.

Arshavin has since boiled, frothed and then collapsed.

Arsene Wenger will know all about the frustration of dealing with an Arshavin type of talent.

Premier League sides would have breathed a sigh of relief because on his day, Arshavin is devastating.

Now, United and Sir Alex Ferguson are discovering an Arshavin of their own at Old Trafford – Luis Nani.

Over the last two seasons, Nani has boiled, frothed and now only really infuriates Sir Alex, United and the Old Trafford faithful.

As was in evidence against Galatasaray last Wednesday, his penalty miss apart, Nani seemed intent on slowing the game down; reluctant to work the flank with Patrice Evra until late in the second half and when shooting on goal seemed aiming to miss.

Like Arshavin towards the end of last season, Nani seems to be on a different tangent to his team-mates.

Ashley Young being out injured might extend Nani’s lease of life at United, but the key is the talent he, and Arshavin, have displayed.

Their inability to bring that game to the table enough of times is what puts them both in the same category – infuriating.

Wenger is having a tough time getting rid of Arshavin. Nani’s future is as difficult to predict as who will score for United from the next penalty kick.

Both, Nani and Arshavin could still play for their teams, much to the angst of supporters.

RUSSIAN POWER