Manchester United may be loathe to label new signing Nani
the 'new Ronaldo' but Rio Ferdinand admits comparisons between the
two Portugal wingers are inescapable. After a delayed entrance due
to an ankle injury sustained on European Under-21 duty in the
summer, Nani finally got to make his debut for United in their Far
East tour hammering of Shenzhen in Macau.
While the standard of opposition, a mid-table team in a poor
Chinese league, was debatable, there was no doubting the glimpses
of class Nani brought to the occasion. His goal, United's third in
a 6-0 romp, was a precise effort, hit first-time from 20 yards
after Ryan Giggs had provided the lay-off, and his major assist, a
driving run carrying him half the length of the field, was too much
for Shenzhen to cope with as Ronaldo eventually fired home.
Plenty of improvement can be expected before Sir Alex Ferguson's
men open the defence of their Premier League title against Reading
on August 12, with United supporters starting to wonder whether the
£17million arrival from Sporting Lisbon can produce the same kind
of fireworks Ronaldo did on his debut against Bolton four seasons
ago.
"Nani does remind me of a young Ronaldo," Ferdinand told MUTV. "I
hope that won't be a burden for him - I am sure it won't be. "He
has looked very sharp in training so far. He has played some great
football in Portugal for the last few years and hopefully he can
bring that to our club."
Nani may have none of Ronaldo's imposing physical attributes and it
would appear he may need a little time in the gym before he is
ready for the roughhouse that is the Premiership. But he does have
some of Ronaldo's pace and dexterity, he certainly shares his
self-confidence and as odd as it sounds he even runs the same
as the player who first blazed the trail from Sporting Lisbon to
Old Trafford four summers ago.
Nani struck a low first-time shot with his right foot that beat the
goalkeeper low to his right. It was a super strike and one that was
followed by a back-flip celebration. Ferguson and United's insurers
may wish to have a word with their latest asset about that
particular habit. 
