Sir Alex hails Nani
Man United manager pleased with Portuguese's progress
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says that he is happy with the performances of Nani so far this season and has underlined the winger's development over the years.
The Portugal international has scored three times and provided four assists in 12 Premier League appearances this campaign but is yet to find the target in four matches in the Champions League.
Nani joined United from Sporting Lisbon in 2007 and took some time to settle in at Old Trafford, but Ferguson has now hailed the 25-year-old's progress in English football.
"Nani has always had potential," he said. "Some of those who come to our club from abroad do it quickly, others gradually grow into it. Nani is one of those.
"Even Cristiano took two or three years to get the maturity in his game.
"That is what we are seeing with Nani now.
"The goals have been fine but his assists are very high. He is progressing really well."
Injuries
Ferguson, though, admits that a host of injuries has unsettled his team this season, disabling him from fielding his best XI all the time.
"There have been some changes in the team from the one that started the season," he said. "You don't envisage having quite so many injuries.
"Everyone was fresh at the start. We had been through a brilliant pre-season in the States with not one injury. Then you are hit with a little list.
"It doesn't disrupt us to a great degree but it does unsettle the balance of the team.
"Sometimes we are having to rethink which team to play whereas when the team is in full flow you don't need to worry."
Champions League
United are currently second in the Premier League table with 29 points from 12 matches, five points behind leaders Manchester City.
On Tuesday the Red Devils host Portuguese giants Benfica in a top-of-the-table clash in UEFA Champions League Group C.
The English giants and the Lisbon outfit both have amassed eight points from four matches and a win for either side at Old Trafford could go a long way in seeing them through to the last 16.
Ferguson is understandably eyeing a win against Benfica and wants United to win the group.
"You hope to finish top," explained the Scot.
"One issue is the teams you might draw if you finish second, although with the quality of the teams, it doesn't make a great difference.
"The main advantage is knowing the second leg would be at Old Trafford."