Nani Or Valencia? Who Should Be United's First Choice Right Winger?

It's the most fiercely fought battle for a place more so than any others. The right hand side of Manchester United’s midfield for the past 2 years has commanded consistency and no slip ups. 

It has been contested for by the tricky Portuguese Nani and the ever reliable Antonio Valencia but the question is who wins? There is a debate and a claim for both players to have a firm claim to the position. Valencia is powerful, honest, hardworking and fantastic delivery but Nani is a match winner. He can produce a moment of magic, beat 4 or 5 players and do something spectacular but can also be very frustrating.

This rivalry started when Cristiano Ronaldo finally left for the glitz and glamour of his boyhood heroes Real Madrid for a staggering £80 million. Valencia was bought immediately for a fee of around £18m to a lot of raised eyebrows who had anticipated a big name such as Franck Ribery. Real Madrid at the time were also keen to acquire the young Ecuadorian’s signature.

When he did sign, I myself was not overcome with optimism. I did often at the time question this signing as after all it is a big step up coming from relegation candidates Wigan Athletic to Premier League champions United, not to mention replacing a star such as Ronaldo . I was sceptical after he didn't quite set the world alight when he first featured for United but he eventually won me and all fans over with his ruthless displays and superb work rate.

He's no Ronaldo for sure. His wing abilities are quite one dimensional as he prefers to opt to unnerve the defender while using a quick shimmy to gain a yard before producing a devastating cross into the box. Some may call it simple but it is very effective. He likes to link up play and combine for quick one-twos with his full back. He will not go past 3 or 4 players and rifle in a 30 yard screamer but has brilliant work ethic giving great protection to his full back. His crossing no doubt is his best asset and  has been the best United have had since the days of ol' Golden Balls himself David Beckham was at Old Trafford.

Valencia is not a player who will gather the spotlight. He is quite an unsung hero at Manchester United and 9 times out of 10 will prove a pivotal player for United in a match. Quite a reserved character even shy at times remains such a consistent figure in the United team but the my favourite moment of Valencia was no doubt the Chelsea home game last season where he left Ashley Cole on his backside for most of the game. He absolutely dominated the so called 'best left back in the world' for the whole game. It was a sheer joy to watch.

In contrast Nani is quite the different player. When Nani is in the right frame of mind and is switched on he is devastating and torture for a full-back. The question is though: which Nani will it be that shows up? You will either get a match winning performance or a frustrating afternoon from the young Portuguese prodigy. He will cut inside and dribble past 4 or 5 players and produce a driving shot into the top corner as we saw against Chelsea or he will give the ball away and waste opportunities. To say he is unpredictable is quite an understatement but this season seems to have made huge strides.

Since his big £17 million switch to United 4 years ago Nani has been in Ronaldo's shadow and endured a tough time at Old Trafford. Since the departure of his countryman he seems to have relished stepping up to the plate and being counted for but still frustrates in doses. His assist statistics are absolutely phenomenal to say the least and the 2010-11 season was when we saw the real Nani until a horrible injury at Anfield effectively ended his season. He never regained his form after the injury and with the return of Antonio Valencia in the run-in it made it increasingly difficult to retain his place in the side.

In comparison to Ronaldo, Nani has been described as quite a shy character and not at all in the spotlight which surprised everyone and at times also quite a childish character with a really high pitched laugh. Nani has certainly stepped out of that Ronaldo-wannabe style and has his own agenda and doesn't possess the arrogance of the latter and his theatrics seemed to have been dealt with than were embarrassing in recent seasons. He has matured immensely and Sir Alex Ferguson seems to have been a key factor in keeping him grounded.

The question is who is the better overall player for Manchester United on our right side of midfield?

For me it's a difficult one. I'm a huge fan of Valencia but this season Nani has improved even more so than last and could be a key figure when players are misfiring. He is a huge goal threat from the wing and can produce - something out of nothing - something spectacular. His goal against Stoke is proof of this.

But Valencia is such a force on the right wing. He is astonishingly consistent and rarely disappoints. He is wasted playing full-back and needs games on the wing. He is a selfless player and will always give 100% work rate for the team. That’s a simple quality to have, but it’s an effective one and when he drops his little shimmy to the side of a defender, he is so quick at whipping balls into the area for Javier Hernandez and co.

Last season Nani played games on the left wing if Valencia did indeed start but was not up to scratch playing on the left side as his preferred position is the right but he likes to interchange with Ashley Young this season at times. Ferguson himself seems to eye Valencia as his preferred man trusting him more so with defensive duties in particular even despite the fact he’s not yet at full fitness this season after an injury suffered at the Copa America. It will be hugely interesting to see who he now favours with Nani's blistering form. Is he too good to drop at the moment? Rest assure both players can't play every game.

I was convinced this season I wanted Valencia starting but with Nani's blistering start to the season it's a headscratcher. Not that we should be complaining as we have two unbelievably good wingers. The strength of depth prevails again.

Darren Hickey @DHick92

Comments

[Tb9]

If it were up to me, I'd have Nani starting, without a shadow of a doubt. He's got amazing skills, and has many weapons we could use in our game. He can run past players for fun, shoot with both feet, boasts a decent goal-scoring record, could cause havoc by cutting inside and playing deeper, could easily swith flanks and look rather natural on the left (although I prefer seeing him on the right flank). These are all things Valencia can not do as well. Valencia is more of a single-dimensional player. He's quick and can cross well. Pretty effective at times, but Nani is the full package. When we need penetration, Nani has the 'can opener' as Sir Alex may say. That's mainly why I prefer him.

Granted, when Nani is off, he is way off. At times he could frustrate everyone, the gaffer, the supporters, his teammates and even himself. Still, I prefer him being the one who starts games on wide right. If things aren't going well, we could always bring Valencia on for him in the second half. I remember Milan two seasons ago when Valencia came on for Nani and tore them apart for example.

I think Valencia is a good player, but Nani is just amazing - a truly great player, individually. I believe Nani is the best choice to start almost every game. Of course, Valencia is a very good substitute for him, and we could always rotate between the two, but Nani has to be the number 1 choice, in my opinion.

[MS]

NANI every time. Only had to watch Valencia in CL final against Barca to see - he can't cut it against top defenders. Valencia couldn't beat his last defender, and got zero crosses into the box. Anybody think Valencia would have done what Nani did against City at Wembley and get the2 fantastic goals to win the game and send United fans home happy and with bragging rights. Or would Vally have scored the important goal against Chelsea in our game recently? Vally has his assets that's for sure - not trying to say he hasn't. I suppose it all depends whether you like the exciting flair, giving us the unexpected like Nani, or the more workmanlike, matter of fact winger like Vally. Me I lovethe Nani's of the football world!

[MS]

NANI every time. Only had to watch Valencia in CL final against Barca to see - he can't cut it against top defenders. Valencia couldn't beat his last defender, and got zero crosses into the box. Anybody think Valencia would have done what Nani did against City at Wembley and get the2 fantastic goals to win the game and send United fans home happy and with bragging rights. Or would Vally have scored the important goal against Chelsea in our game recently? Vally has his assets that's for sure - not trying to say he hasn't. I suppose it all depends whether you like the exciting flair, giving us the unexpected like Nani, or the more workmanlike, matter of fact winger like Vally. Me I lovethe Nani's of the football world!

[OBB]

Nani is a much better pleyer comparing to Valencia. Valencia may be quick but seems doesn't know how to use his pace effectively. Valencia may be considered as a good attacker, but not a great one and simply not good enough to beat top clas defender (Left Back).

Nani is arguably one of the current best players at Old-Trafford really (along with Rooney). He can beat defenders with his skills and tricks. If Nani improve the quality of his final ball (shoot and pass), he can be a better play than Ronaldo.

[stuart]

Why cant we use both, with Valencia at full back. His work rate is very good and having both nani and valencia charging the same side of the field would be daunting for most teams. De silva is too hot headed and gets himself booked to easily. So i say use both Nani and Valencia!

[law]

in all honesty i feel fergie doesnt use Nani as much.There is no comparison between NANI and Valencia.Nani is the better player hands down.

[HV]

i think nani shuold, because he does have quite a few assets in his sleeve. the problem is.. valencia is too one footed. thats why i would prefer Nani. Also, as you said, he can change positions with ashley young, where it gives defenders a problem bcause once the defenders get used to how the winger plays in that game, the winger might be defended really easily. However, if they cahnge it, the changes hte paces of both sides and defenders find it a problem.

[Usy]

Valencia is better than Nani

[john]

Nani is well trusted and Valencia has returned from number of injurys. Nani is well fit to , he can run pass anyone he wants and has develped very well at the team. Valencia is making more mistakes then any one else, maybe because his playing in a very unfamiliar position to him because his a winger and he is playing as a right back. I like Valencia but Nani has so many skills that you can't ignore, but Valencia's passes are fantastic,he can cross a ball right into your head. Rooney has scored so many goals because of his crosses (said that on an interview) in 2009 2010 season and it proves ya what Valencia is capable of great things. Nani can do everything in the right time, score goals and assisit them as well and his speciality is shooting a stoner.many people are comparing him to Cristiano Ronaldo and Sir Alex has said that Nani is here to replace Ronaldo.so i cleary prefer Nani instead of Valencia but it's Sir Alex decision.

[tsox-lela]

i prefere nani ciz of his attacking ability