If the post is from a couple months ago, it will go something like: “What a WASTE of a buy, I can’t wait until January rolls around so we can sell him! When he’s in the team it’s like we’re down to ten men!”

If the post is from the last month, it will go something like: “What an amazing player, I knew he had it in him! He’s definitely our best option on the right hand side. Best crosser we have too!”

It’s like they’re talking about two completely different guys. The speed at which opinions change in football always amuses me

And I do think that the criticism of Nani has been a little overboard a good deal of the time. At times he has been really bad, but other times, he’s been so-so and he still gets slaughtered by fans. I don’t really get it. I think some people just see the resemblance to Ronaldo, recognize the potential there, and expect him to churn out 20+ goals a season. That’s just not realistic. Create goals, use pace down the wings to create counters, put in good crosses, and score a decent amount of goals – that’s what I’m looking for in a solid winger. And Nani’s checked off all of those boxes in the last few weeks.

I was really frustrated last season and early this season when pundits and “fans” alike called for his head and thought he should be shipped out. The kid obviously has talent and is coming to grips with how monumental it is to play at one of the biggest clubs in the world. We’ve seen flashes of brilliance and glimmers of what he can do, and I think we will see more.

To those who say he has been inconsistent, you’re right, he has been, but not without reason. During the Cristiano era, CR7 took over the team and the entire formation changed and revolved around him (for better or worse). Just look at how it forced Rooney into unnatural roles and caused his scoring proficiency to completely atrophy. When Nani was playing in that setup he wasn’t able to play his style of game; CR7 was constantly roaming into his side of the field and taking over for Nani. Nani’s lack of consistency this past season can be attributed to the number of times he has seen the pitch. He is a player that needs to start to be most effective. While he can come off the bench and make an impact, he is hardly a player who can change a game from the bench. However, when he starts, he can influence the game early for the better, ie Arsenal.

Nani is a bit of a diamond in the rough, and while many will say that Manchester United doesn’t have the time to wait for him to develop, I disagree. As long as Sir Alex plays the boy and grows his confidence, then Nani will continue to shine. And, for those who think he’s a flop, give him some time, the boy is still young.

I may be a bit of a Nani fanboy, but at least I’m realistic about it, unlike all those people waiting for Hargreaves magical return.

Keep up the good stuff, Seena.