Manchester United’s resurgence to former glory will be a marathon, not a sprint, according to former winger Luis Nani.

Nani, a key figure in Manchester United’s dominant era under Sir Alex Ferguson, has urged the club’s supporters to exercise patience, emphasizing that the journey back to the pinnacle of English and European football will be a protracted one. The Portuguese international, who graced the Old Trafford pitch 230 times between 2007 and 2015, amassing 41 goals and 66 assists, understands firsthand the expectations and demands that come with representing one of the world’s most storied football clubs.

Nani’s comments come against the backdrop of a sustained period of underachievement for Manchester United since Ferguson’s departure in 2013. The club has struggled to replicate the consistent success that defined the Ferguson era, a period marked by multiple Premier League titles, Champions League triumphs, and a near-unrivaled dominance in English football. The post-Ferguson years have been characterized by managerial instability, inconsistent performances, and a failure to challenge consistently for major honors.

The statistics paint a stark picture of Manchester United’s decline. Since Ferguson’s retirement, the club has gone through a succession of managers, including David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Ralf Rangnick, before the current incumbent, Erik ten Hag. While there have been fleeting moments of promise, none of these appointments have managed to restore Manchester United to their former glory.

In the Premier League, Manchester United’s performance has been particularly underwhelming. The club has not won the title since Ferguson’s final season in 2012-13, and has frequently struggled to even secure a top-four finish, which guarantees qualification for the Champions League. The club’s highest league finish since Ferguson’s departure was second place, achieved under both Jose Mourinho in 2017-18 and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2020-21. However, these finishes were still some distance behind the eventual champions, Manchester City and Liverpool respectively, highlighting the gap that still exists between Manchester United and the Premier League’s elite.

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Last season, under Erik ten Hag, Manchester United finished third in the Premier League, a significant improvement on the previous campaign, and won the Carabao Cup, their first major trophy since 2017. However, the club also suffered a disappointing early exit from the Champions League and finished a distant second in the FA Cup final to Manchester City. These results underscore the inconsistency that continues to plague Manchester United, and the need for further improvement if they are to compete for major honors on a consistent basis.

Nani, speaking at a media event in Jakarta, Indonesia, acknowledged the frustration felt by Manchester United supporters, but urged them to remain patient and trust in the process of rebuilding the team. "We need to build," Nani said. "There is a lot of work that needs to be done on the field. Obviously, you don’t change it in just a second. We need to build again and everyone needs to understand what the situation is like."

Nani’s call for patience is echoed by many within the footballing world, who recognize the scale of the challenge facing Manchester United. The club has invested heavily in new players in recent years, but it takes time for a team to gel and develop the kind of cohesion and understanding that is necessary to compete at the highest level. Furthermore, the Premier League has become increasingly competitive in recent years, with Manchester City and Liverpool setting new standards of excellence, and other clubs, such as Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea, also investing heavily in their squads.

Manchester United’s recent transfer activity reflects their determination to close the gap on their rivals. The club has spent significant sums on players such as Antony, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, and Rasmus Hojlund, all of whom are expected to play key roles in Ten Hag’s team. However, it is important to remember that new signings need time to adapt to their new surroundings and integrate into the team’s style of play.

The club’s academy continues to produce talented young players, such as Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, who have the potential to become future stars. However, these players also need time to develop and gain experience before they can be expected to contribute consistently at the highest level.

Nani expressed his belief that Manchester United will eventually return to their former glory, but emphasized that it will require a collective effort from everyone involved with the club. "We know that in the near future, the good times will come back," Nani said. "So, we need to believe. We need to keep fighting. Give good energy to the team, to the club. And then we will see the glory."

Manchester United’s upcoming fixtures will provide a further test of their progress under Erik ten Hag. The club faces a challenging run of games in the Premier League and Champions League, and will need to be at their best to secure positive results. These games will offer a valuable opportunity to assess the team’s development and identify areas where further improvement is needed.

The Manchester United squad currently consists of a mix of experienced professionals and promising young players. The likes of Casemiro, Raphael Varane, and Christian Eriksen provide a wealth of experience and leadership, while players such as Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Jadon Sancho offer creativity and attacking threat. The challenge for Erik ten Hag is to blend these players together into a cohesive and effective unit, capable of competing with the best teams in Europe.

Manchester United’s supporters remain passionate and loyal, despite the club’s recent struggles. They continue to fill Old Trafford week after week, and their unwavering support is a source of inspiration for the players. The club’s hierarchy is aware of the need to deliver success for the fans, and they are committed to providing Erik ten Hag with the resources he needs to rebuild the team.

The journey back to the top of English and European football will be a long and arduous one for Manchester United. There will be setbacks and disappointments along the way, but the club has the resources, the talent, and the support to eventually return to their former glory. As Nani has emphasized, patience will be key, and everyone involved with the club must remain united in their pursuit of success. The club’s ownership situation has also been a major talking point, with potential changes possibly impacting the club’s financial capabilities and long-term strategies. This adds another layer of uncertainty to the already complex situation. Manchester United’s path to resurgence is not just about on-field performance; it also involves strategic planning, financial stability, and a unified vision from top to bottom. Only time will tell if the Red Devils can reclaim their place among football’s elite.

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Ahmad Zein Salamo
Ahmad Zein Salamo is a dedicated football journalist at Sports News Break, covering the global game with a sharp eye for detail and passion for storytelling. With years of experience following Europe’s top leagues and international tournaments, he delivers insightful analysis, match previews, and breaking news with journalistic integrity and depth.

His reporting combines tactical understanding with a human perspective, highlighting not only the drama on the pitch but also the stories that shape the sport beyond it. From Champions League nights to grassroots football, Ahmad’s work reflects a true love for the beautiful game and a commitment to bringing readers closer to the action.

Ahmad Zein Salamo

Ahmad Zein Salamo is a dedicated football journalist at Sports News Break, covering the global game with a sharp eye for detail and passion for storytelling. With years of experience following Europe’s top leagues and international tournaments, he delivers insightful analysis, match previews, and breaking news with journalistic integrity and depth. His reporting combines tactical understanding with a human perspective, highlighting not only the drama on the pitch but also the stories that shape the sport beyond it. From Champions League nights to grassroots football, Ahmad’s work reflects a true love for the beautiful game and a commitment to bringing readers closer to the action.

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