Oct 20, 2011
The 24-year-old Portuguese says he is motivated by the big occasions and believes home advantage should be enough to ensure that the Red Devils take the bragging rights on Sunday
Manchester United winger Nani is eager to play a part in Sunday’s Premier League showdown against Manchester City.
The Portuguese, who has scored three times in as many games against his side’s local rivals, says he relishes the big fixtures, recognising that the derby has taken on greater importance in recent years.
He told the Daily Telegraph: “All the players want to play in these games, especially me.
“My confidence for these games is high and I feel comfortable in these sort of games.
“I like the pressure these games bring and, every time we play a big game like this one against Manchester City, we have a lot of motivation.
“Every year, the games against City seem to get more important. We usually play well against them and I hope I can make a contribution to make sure we win on Sunday.
“That is what I have been doing this season. I have been working hard and waiting for these big games because I believe I have the quality and mentality to play in them.”
Roberto Mancini’s side are top of the Premier League going into the derby clash, and Nani admits that the Red Devils are in for a test against a talented side, but backs home advantage to see them through.
“I think City are one of the teams who have been doing fantastically since the season started,” the 24-year-old conceded.
“Chelsea are also doing fantastically, so it is too early to say it is just going to be about Manchester United and Manchester City for the title.
“City have a fantastic team at the moment with fantastic players. They play a lot of good stuff and it will be difficult to play against them.
“But we should not forget, we are United and, when we play at home, it is very difficult to beat us.
“We will try to do our best to win the game again and of course we are confident. We should be confident every time we play at home because we have a fantastic home record.
“At Old Trafford, we have to believe we are going to win most of the games, but the motivation against the big teams is the highest it can be and I feel very good to play in this game.”
City defeated United in the FA Cup semi-final last season, but Nani insists the squad are not preoccupied with that loss.
“No - all the players have forgotten this now especially as we beat City in the Community Shield at Wembley at the start of the season,” he declared.
“It’s important that we remember that, rather than the semi-final or any other games we lose.”
The 24-year-old Portuguese says he is motivated by the big occasions and believes home advantage should be enough to ensure that the Red Devils take the bragging rights on Sunday
Manchester United winger Nani is eager to play a part in Sunday’s Premier League showdown against Manchester City.
The Portuguese, who has scored three times in as many games against his side’s local rivals, says he relishes the big fixtures, recognising that the derby has taken on greater importance in recent years.
He told the Daily Telegraph: “All the players want to play in these games, especially me.
“My confidence for these games is high and I feel comfortable in these sort of games.
“I like the pressure these games bring and, every time we play a big game like this one against Manchester City, we have a lot of motivation.
“Every year, the games against City seem to get more important. We usually play well against them and I hope I can make a contribution to make sure we win on Sunday.
“That is what I have been doing this season. I have been working hard and waiting for these big games because I believe I have the quality and mentality to play in them.”
Roberto Mancini’s side are top of the Premier League going into the derby clash, and Nani admits that the Red Devils are in for a test against a talented side, but backs home advantage to see them through.
“I think City are one of the teams who have been doing fantastically since the season started,” the 24-year-old conceded.
“Chelsea are also doing fantastically, so it is too early to say it is just going to be about Manchester United and Manchester City for the title.
“City have a fantastic team at the moment with fantastic players. They play a lot of good stuff and it will be difficult to play against them.
“But we should not forget, we are United and, when we play at home, it is very difficult to beat us.
“We will try to do our best to win the game again and of course we are confident. We should be confident every time we play at home because we have a fantastic home record.
“At Old Trafford, we have to believe we are going to win most of the games, but the motivation against the big teams is the highest it can be and I feel very good to play in this game.”
City defeated United in the FA Cup semi-final last season, but Nani insists the squad are not preoccupied with that loss.
“No - all the players have forgotten this now especially as we beat City in the Community Shield at Wembley at the start of the season,” he declared.
“It’s important that we remember that, rather than the semi-final or any other games we lose.”
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