Ryan Giggs produced another magnificent masterclass to guide Manchester United towards a deserved win at Stoke.
For 55 minutes, Nani occupied the left-wing berth Giggs has filled
for so long but brought only groans and growls of frustration from
exasperated team-mates as United failed to make the most of their
dominance.
Predictably, the response for Giggs was somewhat different.
First English football's most decorated player showed all the
composure of his 35 years to provide Dimitar Berbatov with a tap-in.
Fifteen minutes later, Giggs curled over the free-kick that allowed
John O'Shea to mark his 350th appearance with a goal as the Irishman
guided his header into the far corner.
In both instances, the goalscorer immediately ran to their 35-year-old team-mate to offer their thanks.
On the touchline, Nani could only watch - and maybe learn - because at some point, he will have to improve.
After following the trail blazed by Cristiano Ronaldo four years
earlier by leaving Sporting Lisbon for Old Trafford in 2007, Nani
enjoyed a productive first season under Ferguson's tutelage.
Unfortunately, the Portugal international seemed to stagnate last
term, to such an extent there was a wide body of opinion he would be
released should a suitable buyer be found.
Nani himself felt he was capable of filling Ronaldo's immense shoes,
although no-one truly believed he would get the chance until deadline
day came and went with Ferguson sticking to his word not to buy anyone
else.
It is true that Nani possesses the pace and balance of his
compatriot. Unfortunately, the marked difference is in the final ball,
or sometimes the decision.
A cross might go to the far post when it should have been the near,
or he might decide to shoot instead of playing a more obvious pass to
someone in a better position.
In both instances, Wayne Rooney missed out.
Even with the Britannia Stadium at its most raucous, Rooney's bellows of frustration cannot have been missed.
As he stood alone and watched Nani's shot sail high over the
crossbar, the in-form England star beat the ground in frustration
before delivering a volley of abuse that finally turned to a despairing
plea.
Nani did bring a smart save out of Thomas Sorensen close to
half-time but unless he finds some consistency, Ferguson will
eventually search for someone better.
All of this would have been irrelevant if Nani's wing partner,
Antonio Valencia, had snaffled the golden opportunity that came his way
after just nine minutes of a one-sided opening period.
There was a fear when Ferguson made Valencia his top-price
£17million summer buy the Ecuador might not prove the most clinical
finisher.
So far, he has had very little chance to either disprove or solidify that theory.
It finally arrived when he burst past United academy graduate Ryan Shawcross and bore down on Sorensen's goal.
Valencia never looked entirely comfortable, a fact borne out by the finish, a disappointing chip that bounced harmlessly wide.
Not that Stoke were able to take advantage as the game took on a
similar pattern after half-time, although in Nani's case that was
enough to herald the arrival of Giggs.
It hardly needs saying that Giggs' experience provides a calmness in possession that the man he replaced so sadly lacks.
After eulogising so often about the Welshman during their 17 years
together at the top, Ferguson admitted on the eve of this game that he
had run out of things to say about a man who will celebrate his 36th
birthday in November.
Instead these days it is enough to watch. And if he wants to learn,
Nani should have been focussed intently on Giggs just after the hour
mark when he advanced onto Darren Fletcher's pass then, with no
hesitation, rolled a pass straight into the path of Berbatov, who could
not miss.
The Bulgarian's acknowledgement as he ran towards his team-mate showed what he felt.
Thirteen minutes from time, O'Shea was racing towards Giggs in
similar fashion after he had leapt highest to guide a curling free-kick
into the far corner.
After creating those chances for others, it would have been nice if
Giggs could have taken the one provided by Scholes' through ball.
Instead, with entry into United's exclusive 150 club and a 100th
goal in the Premier League waiting, Giggs fired over. Maybe he is not
perfect after all.
sportinglife.com
It was the experienced duo of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs that stole the show to put Man Utd top on goal difference. After a a mixed performance from Nani in the first half Giggs was sent on at nearly the hour mark. The effect was there for all to see, United score 2 goals and Giggs gets 2 assists. Had he put away a brilliant chance created by Scholes it would have capped off a marvelous performance by both veterans.
