Nani explains why he snubbed Arsenal, Real Madrid for Manchester United
In a recent interview, as reported by Daily Star, former Manchester United winger Nani has opened up on why he chose to join the Red Devils ahead of the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Nani signed for Manchester United in the summer of 2007, in a £22m deal from Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon. The winger went on to enjoy a successful career at Old Trafford.
The 33-year-old spent eight years at Manchester United, making 230 appearances, in which he scored 40 goals and assisted 73. The winger won four Premier League titles, two League Cups as well as the UEFA Champions League during his time at the club.
Nani has now revealed that he could have joined our rivals Arsenal or Chelsea back in 2007. Real Madrid were also interested in his services. (h/t Daily Star)
“My agent asked me as there were so many teams to choose from – Chelsea, Arsenal, teams in Italy like Juventus and Inter [Milan]. Bayern [Munich] and [Real] Madrid – I don’t know if they were true but it was in the news.”
However, he opted to move to Old Trafford because of the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Queiroz, who was Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at the time. (h/t Daily Star)
“At that time, Ronaldo was playing there and had a similar story, you know, playing for Sporting and then Ferguson went to bring him to United. Carlos Queiroz was there as well, he’s Portuguese, so it can help a little bit and I was very excited.”
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Nani left Manchester United in 2015, after a loan spell back at Sporting Lisbon. The winger then went on to play for Fenerbahce, Valencia, Lazio before returning to Sporting for a third stint. He is currently plying his trade in MLS, with Orlando City FC.
