Obertan turns heat on Nani

[mg91]

Obertan turns heat on Nani

RISING French star Gabriel Obertan is putting Nani's United future under threat.

The surprise summer capture from Bordeauxcould prove to be a £3m Sir Alex Ferguson bargain buy.

Nani has struggled to convince Reds fans and critics that he can be an Old Trafford fixture since his £18m move from Sporting Lisbon in 2007.

The Portuguese winger was hoping Cristiano Ronaldo's exit might open the door for him but, despite 10 starts, he has not grasped his chance.

Now 20-year-old Obertan aims to leapfrog him after overcoming the back injury he arrived from France with.

Though former United defender and French legend Laurent Blanc was shocked that Fergie decided to take a punt on the Under-21 international, who was under him at Bordeaux, Obertan is starting to excite United supporters.

And, while Nani started against Blackburn and CSKA Moscow, he wasn't in the 18 on duty at Chelsea on Sunday and Obertan came on at Stamford Bridge with another impressive substitute cameo to add to his late show against CSKA last Tuesday.

"After four months of just waiting and resting, I've been really looking forward to starting my career as a Manchester United player," said Obertan.

"I wanted to feel part of the squad, part of the group, and be involved in the games. So I'm feeling really good right now.

"At first I just want to be part of the squad, be in the group that travels to all the games, and get a few minutes in each game to begin with.

"Then, if I keep working hard and show what I can do, I have ambition. So, why not aim to be a regular in the team? I might need a year to achieve that, but I hope I can do it."

Source

I'm not sure if Obertan is yet to put "Nani's United future under threat",but he certainly is turning the heat up.

And I think this is fantastic for a number of reasons.

Firstly, it is confirmation that Obertan is making a promising start to his United careers and secondly it's going to teach us a lot about Nani.

If Nani has the right stuff mentally, I don't doubt he is talented, this added challenge will see him improve, and will bring the best out of both players. But if he doesn't it will confirm, to my mind at least, that he doesn't have the fortitude to forge a successful career at United.

It will be interesting to see by the end of the season who has progressed the most.

[masibudye]

Yeah, dat new kid will put lot of pressure on Nani. His runs down the flanks r very good.

[.JAMES']

he was shit hot against CSKA, and showed he wasnt afraid to take players on.

Some good sub appearances from him so far, and im looking forward to seeing how he progresses over the course of the season.

[KingJulian]

As talented as Nani is, I believe Obertan is better. We only got some glimpses of his abilities. OK, Obertan may not be better, but he has some other qualities that make him more valuable, qualities like letting the ball go at the right time, not being selfish, playing for the team. I am not sure about Gabriel's consistency, but I'm sure Nani is inconsistent.

So, given the current status quo, I would put my money on Obertan.

[ALF]

I have to admit I quite like Obertan in all the matches he has played in so far he has shown sparks of brilliance and showed us what he is made of, I dont think Nani should be looking for another club just yet cause he's still got the chance to step up but id like to see Obertan a match some time soon just to see.

I can certainly see Obertan becoming a regular starter in years to come if he keeps playing at this rate and in my opinion he has a far better footballing head that Nani and seems to hold him self better, should be a interesting battle between the two.

[Mark]

i must approve that too

Obertan really turn the heat on Nani, and as Torque says, you already know how incosistent and selfish in some times Nani is, so how bad than that can Obertan be ?

i think much better than bad, and i so also saw a couple of highlights in the reserves games that he played and i really like the kid and i'm looking forword to see him grow and up he's game and really give Nani a fight for a place in the team


in the completion of the news, here is an Obertan interview:

Obertan: I'm ready for this test





United fans are good at recognising quality, and in Gabriel Obertan they see plenty of potential and promise. Speaking to ManUtd.com for the first time since joining from Bordeaux, the French winger discusses his love for the English game, reveals how he's settled at OT, and outlines his plans to become a first-team regular...

It must have been frustrating getting your big move then having to sit on the sidelines. Are you pleased to finally be playing now?

After four months of just waiting and resting, I’ve been really looking forward to starting my career as a Manchester United player. I wanted to feel part of the squad, part of the group, and be involved in the games. So I’m feeling really good right now.


Saying that, did the time out help you to settle in England?

I think there were definitely some positives to it, and even though I was frustrated at not playing I tried to look at it in a positive way. In my disappointment, there were good things I could take from it. I got to know everybody at the club, I could begin to understand how things work here and get settled in England.


What are your early impressions of the club?

Manchester United has made a huge impression on me already. I knew it was a big club, of course. Bordeaux is a big club in France, but you come here and it is totally different. This is a world class club and it’s a totally different organisation. The quality of the players is different as well. Here there are only international players. Everything is quicker and the quality of the football is unbelievable.


Did you see your move to United coming or was it a surprise?

I knew United were interested because Jim Ryan (head of youth development) came to watch me play four years ago. I knew there was interest there but I didn’t expect the move to happen so early in my career. But I felt ready for it, I knew I was ready for the challenge and the change in my life. It was like a new beginning for me and I am just glad to be here and have the opportunity to play for this great club.


What are the main footballing differences between England and France?

The quality at United is higher than I experienced in France. Also the amount of contact, there are a lot more physical challenges than in France, and the speed of the game – it’s so fast. It's much slower in France, where you have time to look for space around you or pick out a pass. Here, everything is in a rush, because if you don’t rush then you will be tackled and lose the ball.


You seem to have the right attributes to cope with that…

I’ve always liked English football. When I was in France I would watch English football every weekend. And I think you're right, for my qualities I believe this is the best league in Europe for me. I’m quite fast and I like to attack and be in one v one situations with defenders.


What was it like making your debut at Old Trafford? What was going through your mind as you were about to come on?

I felt proud to be here and glad to get my first real injury out of the way. Obviously I’d played in the Reserves and enjoyed playing against Barnsley in the cup, but stepping out at Old Trafford is something else because I’ve never played in a stadium like that before. I was so excited and just couldn’t wait to play and get on the pitch. It felt like the first step. I was a bit nervous at first, but after five minutes it felt like I’d been playing here for three years or something. The fans really get behind you and it’s a great sensation.


The fans have taken to you really quickly, chanting your name at matches…

I am very proud of that. It gives you a huge push when you are playing and you hear people singing your name. It’s like you have other forces behind you. It’s also made me feel very welcome here, and if I hear the fans singing my name I just want to give them something back by playing well and keep working hard for them.


And what do you hope to achieve at United?

At first I just want to be part of the squad, be in the group that travels to all the games, and get a few minutes in each game to begin with. Then, if I keep working hard and show what I can do, I have ambition. So, why not aim to be a regular in the team? I might need a year to achieve that, but I hope I can do it.

Article Here!


hope you guys really read it

[ViSh23]

no doubt that Nani will have to show that he can rise his game if Obertan is putting pressure on him..
The squad will benefit from this internal competition.

If one of them is not in good shape, he will be replace meaning he will need to work harder..

Obertan lack of experience because he is new in EPL.. But the way he is improving, if Nani does not do anything, he might replace Obertan in reserve squad

[goldenboot]

obertan is good from little what i have seen , and from youtube videos , he certainly does look much more promising than nani, nani always somehow shows potential but never fulfills it , lets see

[red_devil_lad]

obertan is shit hot atm, nani really does have to step up to the mark now because obertan has already gt a strong case to be put in the first team

[ALF]

After Nani's little outburst for me all the right noises are coming from the french man, so i say give him his chance, he has said he wants to show he can do it, so i say let him i mean he cant be much worse than having Nani on the pitch..... right?