Nani has spoken. The Manchester United winger was the victim of a horrendous challenge from Jamie Carragher at Anfield when United met Liverpool. The incident was well publicised and overshadowed the Liverpool win in which United were outplayed. Rivals fans to United questioned the seriousness of the injury and suggested that United fans were using the tackle to cover up a poor performance. Whatever the case, there is no denying that the tackle warranted a red card, and as Nani says here, his tears immediately after the tackle came as a result of him believing his season was over. The deep gash on his shin was clear for all to see, but Nani was still criticized for shedding tears. The recently returned Portuguese said:
“When I saw my leg for the first time, I thought my season was finished. That is why I was crying.
"Afterwards, the doctor saw my leg and said I had been lucky because it just needed stitches and I would be out for two or three weeks. He is surprised that I could recover even quicker.”Nani was slightly hesitant in taking on the left back on his return to action after the injury against Marseille, but he recognises that the physical side is to be expected in the English Premier League:
"English football is like that. It is about making tackles.
“The fans enjoy it. I always finish the game sore because I have had three or four tackles on the same part of my ankle.”However, despite accepting the physical side of the game, he agrees with most logical football fans when he says the Carragher tackle should not be accepted. Nani said:
"I don’t know what Carragher was thinking but I do know what he did was not football.”
“He came to apologise after the game. But I was not happy. It is the second time he injured me. Before, he put me out of the game for two months. He always tackles like that. I don’t want protection. I just want the referees to be fair. If it is a red card, they have to give it. If they give the card, the next time the player doesn’t make the tackle.”Rumours have arisen recently stating that Nani has asked his agent to look for clubs in Italy for a possible transfer. This was however dismissed by the 24 year-old who said on his official Twitter account that he had "seen some false reports on the press. I want you to know that you will hear the truth from me. Love MU".
So we will be seeing a lot more of Nani in the future then. Perhaps no the immediate future though, with him admitting to being a doubt for the Old Trafford clash with Bolton this Saturday:
"I played against Marseille but maybe I couldn't play tomorrow because I have so many injuries. My leg is OK [but] it is not 100% and the confidence is not the same.
"I know players always like to tackle me, so I have to be careful. That is why my football was not the best. But it is great to be back. Now I am just thinking about the next game when I think I will be much better."
