Who are Anderson &
Nani?
Manchester United have moved fast in the transfer market this
summer, with Anderson and Nani set to be the latest arrivals at Old
Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant Carlos Queiroz is credited
for a big role in securing the services of Porto's Brazilian
midfielder Anderson and Sporting flyer Nani, who are tipped for the
top.
"They're both top players and among the top five in Portugal with
Simao Sabrosa, Joao Moutinho and Ricardo Quaresma," Portuguese
football journalist Miguel Padayda told BBC Sport. But what more do
we know about them? BBC Sport gives the lowdown on United's latest
signings.
Full name: Anderson Luis De Abreu Oliveira
Nationality: Brazilian
Age: 19 (Born: 13 April 1988 )
Position Attacking midfielder
Fee: Reports vary between £15m and £20m
Still a teenager, the dreadlocked Brazilian has made a huge impact,
is already in Brazil's national squad and is considered the heir
apparent to Ronaldinho as his country's star player. Born in the
same town as Barcelona's buck-toothed wonder, Porte Alegre,
Anderson also started his career at Gremio where he is held in high
regard after scoring the goal that sent them back into the top
flight in a brutal match against Nautico in 2005.
He moved to Europe later that year and made his Porto debut a
little over 12 months ago in March 2006, helping the club land the
Portuguese double. This season his progress has been hampered by a
fractured leg in October, but he returned to action to help Porto
successfully defend their title.
BBC Sport columnist and south American football pundit Tim Vickery
has described the strong, left-footed midfielder as having the
acceleration of the Millennium Falcon. And Manchester United have
stolen a march on suitors such as Real Madrid and Chelsea to land a
player many have already labelled as the long-term replacement for
Old Trafford stalwart Paul Scholes.
Padayda's verdict: "He is very young, very skilled
in the pass, very intelligent and very fast. Unfortunately, this
season he had an injury that allowed him to play only half of the
season, but he was still a very important figure at Porto. He could
definitely go straight into the United first XI."
Anderson says: "I could not imagine I would ever
get to work with a manager like Sir Alex Ferguson but it has
happened. It is a dream the size of the world."
They say: "New players will show they deserve a
chance to represent Brazil and we'll all see that as it happens.
Anderson, like many other Brazilian players, is a valuable player
and will get his chance in future for sure."
Brazil head coach Dunga
You say: "Anderson has the potential to be
something special. When he's worth £30m on his own in two years
this deal will look like a bargain."
EdWindchester on the 606 messageboards
Did you know?
He was named player of the tournament at the 2005 Under-17 World
Cup. Previous winners of the award include Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas
and former Liverpool striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle.
Full name: Luis Carlos Almeida da Cunha
Nationality: Portuguese
Age: 20 (Born: 17 April 1986)
Position Attacking midfielder
Fee: Anything between £11.5m and £17m say the reports
Nani has long been linked with a move to Manchester United ever
since he stated it would be a "dream" to play with Cristiano
Ronaldo. However, Quieroz needed to move quickly when it became
clear Tottenham were also stepping up their interest in the
predominantly wide player.
Born on the Cape Verde Islands off the west coast of Africa, he
came through the Sporting Academy, a route previously taken by
Ronaldo and Luis Figo, once his family had upped sticks for Lisbon.
Having made his debut as an 18-year-old, Nani became a part of the
first-team squad at the start of the 2005/06 season and soon got
his chance to impress.
Since then the fleet-footed livewire, who celebrates goals with a
back flip, has gone from strength to strength with club and
country. He scored on his first appearance for Portugal against
Denmark in September and also caught the eye with a wonderful
effort in the Champions League against Spartak Moscow this
season.
Padayda's verdict: "He plays more or less in the
same position of the pitch as Ronaldo does but he is not as fast.
He had some problems this year at Sporting because he thought he
was underpaid and wanted more money, but now he has a big contract.
He will have to adapt to the English game and will need to wait a
few months until he gets his chance."
Nani says: "The Premier League is one of the best
leagues in the world and it will be a big challenge. I am prepared
to go to England because I believe I will progress there."
They say: "He's one of the most gifted young
players in Europe, and what's more, he's stronger than I thought he
was."
Former Bayern Munich manager Felix Magath
You say: "Bringing Nani into the team will
definitely give us more width across the pitch and in time will be
a suitable replacement for Ryan Giggs."
wolverine001 on the 606 messageboards
Did you know:
Everton midfielder Manuel Fernandes is a friend since childhood and
the pair used to kick a ball about together on the streets of
Lisbon.
