Nani has rubbished reports of a loan return to Sporting.

The Manchester United winger has already declared that Cristiano Ronaldo's imminent exit will enable him to have more opportunities at Old Trafford.

And he reacted with bemusement to English press reports that he could rejoin his former club on a temporary basis next season.

"I am not aware of it," he informed Jornal de Noticias. "I have three more years on my contract.

"Would a loan even be accepted?

"I have no desire to return to Portuguese football.

"I am at a top club, playing in top competitions and I do not want to go back to Portuguese football."

Sir Alex Ferguson insists Nani is part of his plans for next season despite failing to make an impact during this campaign.

The Portuguese winger was said to be upset by his half-time substitution during the 5-2 win over Tottenham at the weekend, summing up a season in which he has started only six Premier League games – and not played the full 90 minutes in any.

The situation has prompted suggestions Ferguson may seek to offload the 22-year-old, who signed for £14m two years ago. But the United manager insisted Nani would prove himself next season.

"He has been unlucky this season," said Ferguson. "The form of Park Ji-Sung has been absolutely outstanding and most of the time has kept Nani out of the team.

"Getting a consistent run has really been the problem for him and then he got a little injury. But he will be here next season and he will do very well next season for us."

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Manchester United winger Nani acknowledges that his performances must improve in the second half of the season if he is to play on a consistent basis.

Signed from Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2007 for £19million, Nani enjoyed instant success winning the Premier League and UEFA Champions League in his first season at Old Trafford. This term has been a different story for the winger having made just three starts in the Premier League, leaving some fans questioning whether he has what it takes to succeed at the Theatre of Dreams.

The Portugal international's inconsistent form was boosted on Tuesday when he fired home the opener against Derby to set United on their way to Wembley where they will face Tottenham in the Carling Cup final.

"Last season was good. I was pleased with my games and my contribution to the team," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"This season I hoped it would be better. When I get my chances my aim is to do better than I did at the start of the season. I want to play more. I would like to play more times but it hasn't been the same as last season.

Ryan Giggs and his Manchester United team-mates may still believe they can win teh quadruple!

United are still in it to win it in the FA Cup and Champions league, whilst they top the Premier League adn are in the final of the Carling Cup!

"Hopefully the latest injuries won't have too much of an impact because we've also got the likes of Patrice, Wayne, Wes and Rio all coming back. So that should help," said Ryan.

"People have been talking about us winning all four trophies, but as players we just get on with things. We've got as far as we can in the League Cup now and we'll look forward to the final when it comes round. Next it's the FA Cup, then it's back to the league.

"We've just got to perform well in every game and make sure we have the right attitude and concentration going into whatever competition we're playing in."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will have been frustrated by his side's wastefulness, with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo guilty of throwing away obvious openings.

It was United who had the first opportunity when Arsenal keeper Almunia inexplicably picked up a backpass from Mikael Silvestre inside the first two minutes. Arsenal were relieved when Anderson's free-kick was half-cleared and Michael Carrick turned the loose ball wide.

Rooney missed an even better chance for United after 17 minutes, carelessly lofting an inviting ball from Ronaldo over the top when it seemed certain he would score.

Arsenal took full advantage of the reprieve to take the lead five minutes later, when Nasri's shot took a crucial deflection off Neville and wrong-footed Edwin van der Sar. It was a wonderfully open game but Arsenal were playing like a team stung by recent criticism and the sight of old rivals United had only inspired them further.

Fabregas had a shot deflected just wide but United were threatening themselves and Almunia needed to save well from Ji-Sung Park.

If there was a frustration for Arsenal, it would have been that the crucial second goal had eluded them, despite their dominance. They did not have to wait long to get it as Nasri doubled their advantage three minutes after the restart. Fabregas was at the centre of affairs again, punishing United for failing to pick up Nasri when he threaded through a perfect pass for the France midfield man to beat Van der Sar with an emphatic finish.

United, uncharacteristically, were lacking a cutting edge and wasted a perfect opportunity to grasp at a lifeline immediately after Arsenal's goal. Park found Ronaldo unmarked at the far post but he dragged his shot across the face of goal with only Almunia to beat.

Almunia then required lengthy treatment after an accidental clash with Carrick as United refused to give up on the belief that they could get back into an enthralling encounter. He carried on but was clearly in discomfort and was replaced by Lukasz Fabianski with 12 minutes left.

United also replaced Rooney with Carlos Tevez and Anderson with Ryan Giggs in what was clearly a last throw of the dice by Ferguson as time ran out. Rafael, who had replaced Neville in the 63rd minute, pulled one back in the final minute with a spectacular left-foot volley from the edge of the box after Arsenal failed to clear a Giggs cross.

Manchester United winger Nani says he is happy with his start to the new season, and hopes to build on his recent good form and enjoy an even better campaign than his debut year in England.

The Portuguese moved to Old Trafford at the age of 20 in the summer of 2007 from Sporting, and his first season in the Premiership was encouraging, with the winger contributing some vitals goals and a number of assists.

After a slow start to the new campaign, partly due to a two-match suspension carried over from the end of last season, Nani has hit form in recent matches for the Red Devils. As well as having already scored two goals this term, the soon to be 22-year-old impressed in recent matches against Celtic and West Ham United.

“I am very happy now. This season, I think I’ve started very well,” he said. “I’ve scored a couple of goals and I know this season can be my season, because I am more prepared. But right now, I am just concentrating on playing games.

“Is it more difficult in the second season? No, for me it is easier now to play in this team. I am more confident; more experienced. We won the league and the Champions League and I’ve played in difficult games, and have learned in every game. This season I am more experienced and I think I can do well in every game I play in.

“I think it is also important for me that my English is getting better. I am trying to learn about my team-mates, to speak and joke with them. I feel that as my English has improved I have become more confident. Last season I hardly spoke any English but I am trying now to take part in the jokes.”

Ronaldo might be benched against Celtic as Carlos Tevez and Anderson are back in contention after missing Saturday's 4-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.

Paul Scholes, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick miss out of course and they are joined in the stands by Patrice Evra who was taken off with a hamstring injury against West Brom and won't be risked tomorrow night.

He should be OK for Saturday,' Fergie said, referring to Saturday's trip to Goodison Park. The manager also confirmed that he was considering relegating Ronaldo to the bench as he's still not at full fitness and has played a lot of games in recent weeks.

If he won't start then Nani is likely to take his place in the side. Anderson and Carlos Tevez are likely to be handed starts after missing Saturday's win because they arrived back very late from international duty.

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Nani scored Manchester United's third goal as they knocked Middlesbrough out of the Carling Cup.

Ferguson had made 11 changes to the team who started against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge two days earlier, but with him perhaps being keen to guard against the risk of a repeat of the 2-0 defeat by Coventry City at this stage of the competition last season, Ronaldo, Giggs, Nani, Anderson and Nemanja Vidic were involved and it was a tactic that paid off.

Despite a brief Middlesbrough rally in the 56th minute, when Johnson hammered home a 20-yard volley after Vidic had only partially cleared Gary O’Neil’s cross, United were worthy winners. Unfortunately for them, their second victory of the season proved a bittersweet experience.