I'm living the dream (Nani)

It's not just Manchester-born first-teamers who dreamt of playing for the Reds as youngsters. Portuguese winger Nani has revealed he visited Old Trafford before he joined United and sat in the dressing room daring to dream he would one day earn his own place there.

In an exclusive interview with Inside United, the 23-year-old tells of his trip to M16 as a youngster and looks back on how far he has come since.

"I came with my friend and we did the tour of the museum and the stadium," explains to the monthly magazine, out now. "I remember sitting in the first-team dressing room and both of us saying ‘wow, this is Ronaldo’s place’ and ‘this is where Rooney and Giggs sit'!

"We sat there and said ‘imagine what it would be like to be part of this dressing room one day,’…and then two years later I was here. It was a great feeling when I signed."

Nani talks in-depth about his emergence as one of the key men for United in 2010, and how he is enjoying his football and feels at home in Manchester and at United.

"The life here is very nice," he adds, "but the best things for me are being able to play football every day for such a great club and having the opportunity to win trophies each season.

"I’ve learnt a lot in my time here - I'm older, more experienced and I have more confidence. It's my fourth season at the club and it feels like this is home now."

 

Welbeck makes progress

Danny Welbeck is pleased with his performances on United's pre-season tour of the US and Canada, and says it's the result developing as a player mentally just as much as he has done physically or technically.

The 19-year-old forward shone in United's second tour match against Philadelphia Union this week, and he’s hoping his performances will catch Sir Alex Ferguson's eye.

"I’m really pleased with how the tour has gone for me so far and I’m happy with my performances,” Danny told ManUtd.com.

“I’ve got to keep going and continue to get my fitness up. The game in Philadelphia was a good game for us and a good test of our fitness levels. It was quite open at times but we’re pleased to have got the win.

“My main aim is to be part of the first team set-up this season, but I’m happy to go on loan if the manager wants me to. I just want to keep playing games and improving.”

The Longsight-born striker feels his game has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years.

“I feel like I’ve improved a lot over the last couple of years in particular,” he explains. “I’ve learnt so much during that time, particularly the importance of mental strength on and off  the pitch. I want to keep improving and striving to show everyone what I can do.”

Much of that development is rooted in the exposure to playing alongside experienced professionals like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, something Welbeck – like al the other youngsters on the tour – has relished across the Atlantic.

“It’s always good to be away with a few of the older lads because you pick up so much from them every day. You see how they prepare for games, how they rest and how they train.

"The older lads at the club are unbelievable – they have this huge determination to win every single training match, let alone actual games. Just to be around them is a real privilege.”

Smalling hails United welcome

MANCHESTER UNITED new boy ace Chris Smalling has thanked Wes Brown and Jonny Evans for helping him settle in.

Smalling is looking for his second run-out for the club against Philadelphia Union on Wednesday at Lincoln Financial Field.

The former Fulham star played alongside Evans at the back in the 3-1 victory over Celtic on Friday in Toronto.

With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic both absent, the 20-year-old has the chance to make an early impression on manager Sir Alex Ferguson and the coaching staff.

Smalling said: "The tour has been a really enjoyable experience so far. It was great to meet everyone, initially at Carrington.

"I have spent quite a bit of time with Wes and Jonny, my fellow centre-backs.

"And I have also been chatting to a lot of the younger lads. It is just great to get to know everybody and be part of such a great club. I just want to do my best."

Defensive team-mate Wes Brown said: "Chris is a great lad and has fitted in brilliantly.

"He has been training really well — he looks very fit and sharp. I am sure he will be ready and raring to go for the start of the season."

Nani on course to return

After a summer of injury frustration, Nani is relishing the chance to get back to business having recovered from a broken collarbone.

The Portuguese winger was one of United’s most influential performers during the second half of last season and he was looking forward to taking his good form into the World Cup.

Unfortunately, injury prevented him from featuring in South Africa, but he has since made a good recovery and is ready to return to action for the Reds.

“I started full training with the team a couple of days ago and I feel very good now,” he told reporters at a press conference in Philadelphia.

“My fitness is getting better all the time and I hope to be involved in this week’s games [on Wednesday against Philadelphia Union and Sunday against Kansas City Wizards].

“I’m very much enjoying the tour – it’s a great opportunity for me to get a good pre-season under my belt ahead of the new campaign.”

Berbatov is 'the right player'

Sir Alex Ferguson has reiterated his belief that Dimitar Berbatov is the 'right player' for Manchester United.

Since becoming United's club record signing in 2008, the Bulgarian striker's performances have been heavily scrutinised. However, Berbatov shone in the Reds' opening pre-season victory over Celtic, and Sir Alex insists everyone in the United camp is behind him.

"He got man of the match, and I think he deserved that, no question," Sir Alex told MUTV after Saturday's win over the Bhoys. "His performance was excellent. In the second half he produced some fantastic moments.

"It underlines the one great factor - that class he has. You cannot take that away from him, no matter the crticism. It doesn't come from our camp. When we see that we know we have the right player."

As United continue to be linked with a string of new strikers, Sir Alex gave backing to his current roster of front men and conceded that he has an abundance of attacking options for the new season.

"We are happy with the strikers we have got," he said. "You have to decide what is the best combination. Diouf has got different talents to Macheda and Welbeck. He penetrates, he is quick and aggressive. We have really good talent in the striking department with Hernandez also joining us, so that is a good area and a good future for us."

Berba feeling good

Having scored the opening goal and provided a further pair for Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley, it's little wonder Dimitar Berbatov was in chipper mood after United's win over Celtic.

The Bulgarian international looked sharp throughout the opening game of the Reds' pre-season campaign, and he is relishing the start of the season proper.

"It's the first game of pre-season, still too early to judge, but it was a good test of our physical form and technical as well," Dimitar told PA Sport. "I enjoyed the whole game. We have started well with a win. We have a lot of games before the season starts so I think we will be fully prepared."

Although Berbatov and his colleagues are eagerly anticipating the 2010/11 campaign, the Bulgarian admits he is enjoying the nomadic experience of United's pre-season tour.

"When the summer comes you don't stop playing, you play with your friends," he said. "But when you come here you play with your team-mates. The season is starting so it's very exciting. You come to new countries, see new people, play different teams and it's very exciting."

Sir Alex: Players raring to go

United's players were relieved to get back in action against Celtic after almost a fortnight of training ground slog, according to Sir Alex Ferguson.

In order to build a fitness base to withstand the rigours of a full season, the players tread some hard yards under instruction from the fitness and coaching staff.

Having put his squad through their paces, Sir Alex revealed they were straining at the leash ahead of Friday evening's opening US Tour victory over Neil Lennon's Bhoys.

"We try and get the preparation to a point where they want to want to start playing games," the Boss told his post-match press conference. "There was a little bit of boredom in the training yesterday (Thursday). They had seven days at Carrington, four days in Chicago and they were desperate for a game.

"That is the one thing pre-season brings on: the desire to start playing games. No one likes pre-season. It does not matter how good it is. Nobody enjoys it because it is rough and tough. It is the hard bit of the game. Thankfully we are on that route of playing."

United overcame the Hoops through goals from Dimitar Berbatov, Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley, and Sir Alex was more than satisfied with the stern test his players overcame.

"The first game is one you want to get out of the road because fitness comes into it, as does the time you give to your players," he said. "I thought we were nearly right. I was pleased some of the performances were good.

"There was a period after Celtic scored they got a bit of dominance over us. That was a period we had to get through. The second goal killed the game. It was a fantastic goal too. A marvellous bit of football from Berbatov.

"Celtic were very competitive. That's been the way when we have played them. There is not a lot in it between the two teams because the Scotland-England thing motivates both sets of players. It was never going to be an easy match."