<p>Nani often exasperated United as he struggled for form in the early part of the season, but Portugal fans were delighted to watch him breathe new life into his game after the turn of the year. <br /><br />A dazzling display in United's 3-1 win at Arsenal in January showcased the 23-year-old's tricky footwork, electric pace and precise crossing, and he followed that with several eye-catching performances in the Champions League and the Premier League. <br />The improvement led to a new contract to keep him at Old Trafford until 2014 and Nani appears finally to be emerging from the shadow cast by his departed compatriot, Cristiano Ronaldo. <br /><br />Nani said he did not let himself get down when he was largely ignored by United between November and January. <br /><br />The strong character is likely to be a product of growing up in an poor suburb of Lisbon. Nani was abandoned by his Cape Verde-born father when he was five and his mother departed a few years later, leaving Nani with an aunt. <br /><br />The scrawny youngster was determined to succeed, however, and impressed with local club Real Massama before joining Sporting's academy and breaking into the first team aged 18. <br />A year later, he marked his Portugal debut with a goal against Denmark.</p>
<p>Nani often exasperated United as he struggled for form in the early part of the season, but Portugal fans were delighted to watch him breathe new life into his game after the turn of the year. <br /><br />A dazzling display in United's 3-1 win at Arsenal in January showcased the 23-year-old's tricky footwork, electric pace and precise crossing, and he followed that with several eye-catching performances in the Champions League and the Premier League. <br />The improvement led to a new contract to keep him at Old Trafford until 2014 and Nani appears finally to be emerging from the shadow cast by his departed compatriot, Cristiano Ronaldo. <br /><br />Nani said he did not let himself get down when he was largely ignored by United between November and January. <br /><br />The strong character is likely to be a product of growing up in an poor suburb of Lisbon. Nani was abandoned by his Cape Verde-born father when he was five and his mother departed a few years later, leaving Nani with an aunt. <br /><br />The scrawny youngster was determined to succeed, however, and impressed with local club Real Massama before joining Sporting's academy and breaking into the first team aged 18. <br />A year later, he marked his Portugal debut with a goal against Denmark.</p>
