FORMER MAN UNITED winger Nani says a clash with fierce rivals Liverpool can propel Jose Mourinho’s side to greater success in the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp’s high-octane side are one of the league’s form teams on the back of four consecutive top-flight wins and will welcome United to Anfield on Monday looking to open up a six-point advantage over their rivals.
Nani — now at Valencia — enjoyed six wins over Liverpool in 11 contests as a United player, scoring once spectacularly in a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in March 2008.
The Euro 2016 winner revealed the famous fixture’s heightened sense of importance often gave Alex Ferguson’s United an extra boost in their title charges.
“When you play that kind of game it gives you great motivation,” the Portugal winger told Omnisport. “It pushes you in the league, it makes you stronger.
“Ferguson used to say that this is not just a game, it’s a challenge.
Everyone must win their battle against their opponent. We’re not just playing, we’re going out there to win.
“Win every ball, tackle, race, everything. Football comes last. We didn’t always play beautiful but plays hard.”
United boss Mourinho has overseen just one win in four Premier League games as what looked like an early title tilt has faded.
The Portuguese has three Premier League titles to his name, a tally bettered only by United legend Ferguson, who Nani ranks as the English game’s most fearsome tactician.
He added: “100 per cent (Ferguson) is the greatest manager in Premier League.
The way he works, the way he was with us. Not just because he wins all the trophies, the way he prepares, approaches each day and each game.
“He had the motivation and was strong when he needed to be. He could do the human side.
“I’m very happy to be part of his story, and happy he’s part of mine. I will remember him always.”
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RIP Eddie thanks for giving us those years in the benson and hedges coloured F1 cars and that win in Belgium, great memories
@Roy Butler: bitten and hisses … Loved that.
What a charismatic person. All the top people in F1 in the 90′s and 00′s worked for him either on the way up or at their peak. He had a marvellous eye for talent. And not to forget. He gave a certain Ayrton Senna his first drive in an F3 in 1982.
RIP to a great Irish man. May he rest in peace.
Heartbroken to hear this, spent many Sundays in front of the tv cheering on the buzzin hornets, Belgium 98 will always be special, he always came across as a great character, rest in peace.
Ah no. RIP Eddie Jordan
Really sad news. May he RIP.
Spent my childhood wearing yellow and black Jordan merchandise
Can always remember Belgium 98
RIP to a true Irish legend
Formula 1 97, PlayStation 1.
“Im picking that that sexy yellow benson and hedges car!!”
“Why not the red fer…”
“I said give me the yellow one!”
RIP Eddie great memories!
I know nothing about that sport but was always excited by the bright yellow cars who you could pick out so easily and always watched and shouted them on because they were Irish, always craving to support something Irish on the world stage and he gave us that, RIP Eddie.
RIP Eddie, responsible for producing the wonderful 7up Jordan in that first year the discover Ireland sponsorship it was stunning,
Then getting up in the middle of the night to see Eddie Irvine unlaping himself in Japan to the bright yellow cars great times to be watching F1.
Always a pleasure to hear his commentary with genuine forthright views, I doubt we’ll see many like him again in F1
@Phill Brown: the Sasol sponsored Jordan 194. That was the start of the upward climb in the Constructors Championship with Rubens and Eddie Irvine
This one really hurt’s gave us great memoryies in the 90′s a legend in formula one lost a great irishman today rip
Rip. An Irish legend for sure
A great character Formula 1 desperately needed at the time, to inspire belief that the little guy could compete.
Spare a thought for those that love London Irish Rugby, who will be devastated that they guy driving the re-creation of the professional entity has passed…
RIP to a genuine legend