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The Glenn Hamilton View - February 29 2008

With Manchester United securing three points on Saturday and Arsenal dropping two, the Red Devils have moved to within one point of the league leaders.

It seems United are doing their best to keep the naysayers quiet and a great run thus far has shown England that the title race is far from decided just yet. Sir Alex Ferguson opted to leave his two star men, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, on the bench but the team did not seem to miss them at all. With great performances from Owen Hargreaves (who has finally scored his first goal for United), Ji Sung Park, and the always reliable Paul Scholes, United brushed Fulham aside and almost claimed top spot if not for the late heroics of Arsenal’s Nicklas Bendtner. United would have been in first place due to goal difference.

Manchester United’s cause has also been greatly boosted by the fine form of Luis Nani. Nani has hit a rich vein of form and is quickly becoming one of United’s best players.

Nani has been tipped as the natural replacement for Ryan Giggs and it looks as though the young Portuguese is ready to take Europe by storm. Without a doubt, Giggs has been a spectacular servant of Manchester United and deserves to have his name immortalized by the club.

It is also not difficult to see that Giggs’ playing days at Old Trafford may be numbered. His work ethic is still second to none and no one can beat Giggs for commitment; he is a United man through and through. His age may be beginning to tell on him however. He is no longer the speedy midfielder that could run through whole defenses and score a wonder goal anymore. His passing game is also beginning to become sloppy and inaccurate.

Nani provides a young, fresh talent who has the speed and intelligence on the ball to wreak havoc on opposing defenses. It is true that Nani may have much to learn and what better teacher then the man whose place he will one day inherit.

There are many parallels to be drawn between Nani and Ronaldo when he first came to Old Trafford. Nani has a real taste for flair and showboating. The acrobatics that he does after scoring a goal is something of a rarity at United, but there is no question of the passion that he brings to the game.

The showing off and aerial tricks may be something that Ferguson may want to discourage. The manager has apparently already told the mid-fielder that he must cut down on the show-boating. There is little doubt however, that Nani is an exciting new talent to hit the fields of England and Red Devil fans are very happy to see him wearing the red of Manchester.

GH

[These views are purely those of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Red Devil Radio].