Nani Names the Man Utd Player Who 'Surprised' Him & the Chelsea Duo He Hated Facing

Former Manchester United winger Nani has given Paul Scholes the backhanded compliment to end all backhanded compliments, saying the ginger general 'really surprised' him with his ability. 

Nani arrived at ​Manchester United in 2007, after a 32-year-old Scholes had marshalled United to the Premier League title for the fifth time in ten years.

He had been a central part of Sir Alex Ferguson's relentlessly successful side for well over a decade, but Nani - who went on to win three league titles alongside Scholes - was still surprised at his ability. 

​"One player who really surprised me and impressed me a lot in the beginning was Paul Scholes – he was phenomenal," he told ​Football Wave.  

No prizes for guessing who Nani's favourite is, however. 

"My favourite was still ​Cristiano Ronaldo – the best," he went on. 

"Best player ever? I have seen so many… even from the past like Maradona, Pele… but I would pick my companion of many battles, someone I have won so much with, someone I really respect.
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"Numbers don’t lie and they also show he is the best – Cristiano Ronaldo."

The Portuguese winger, signed from Sporting CP, was expected to take over the mantle from Ronaldo at United after the iconic number seven left to join Real Madrid in 2009. 

He didn't quite live up to that hype, and although 40 goals in 230 appearances is no total to be snuffed at, he admits his time in the Premier League was made a little harder by the presence of ​Chelsea's Petr Cech and Ashley Cole.

He got used to the former, however.  

"Maybe Petr Cech," the Orlando City man said, when asked about the toughest goalkeeper and defender he faced. "I scored a few against him but he was always tough to face. He was tall, agile and tough to beat.
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"Ashley Cole [gave me trouble]. He was really tough in the beginning, but then I got used to him and put him in my pocket!"

Source : 90min