Manchester United Transfer News: Nani Keeping His Mind on Tough Stoke Game, Despite Being Linked with Several Clubs

Oct 19, 2012 01:02 AM EDT

Nani might be being linked with a plethora of clubs, including AC Milan and Juventus, but the Portuguese winger is keeping his eyes firmly planted on Manchester United's next assignment - an English Premier League game against Stoke City at Old Trafford Saturday.

The Portuguese winger has been far from his best season, prompting suggestions that he might leave in the January transfer window. Nani is also yet to agree on a new contract, and is reportedly disillusioned by the fact that the club have not given him agreeable terms.

However, there is no better person than Air Alex Ferguson to get the best out of his players, even when they have other things on their minds, and Nani believes the test against Stoke will be a typically tough physical one.

"It is always hard to play against Stoke because they play a different kind of football to most teams in the Premier League," the winger told the club's official website. "They are very physical and have very strong players.

"It is also difficult because most of the game is in the air. We need to be strong and try to play our game. We are playing at home and we have to believe we can win the three points.

"It is very important because when you play at home, you have a good chance to win these games."

The bulk of the Manchester United players will be returning from the international week, having played for their respective countries, and Nani is worried about the impact it might have had, considering the physical opponents that await them.

"It is very important to recover because we have hard competition and lots of games, so we need to be ready for the next match," he added. "At Carrington they are making a bigger space with more facilities for the players to recover and enjoy. It is nice.

"It is a bit hard because we are tired after the (international) games and we have to travel and be ready for the next match. It is a bit difficult but as I said, having good facilities to recover is very important and helpful."

United, who are four points behind leaders Chelsea, head into a busy period in the next couple of months, a period which could make or break their season. But Nani is confident of doing well and wants his team to continue challenging at the top of the table.

"It is a good time for us," Nani said. "We had a very good result last time against Newcastle before the international break so we are confident and it is a good time to start to believe.

"But we do not set long-term targets -- our only target is to always win the game and to finish on top."

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