Nani: Bring on the big guns

Manchester United winger Nani is not worried about facing one of Europe’s big guns in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side drew 2-2 with Benfica on Tuesday and now need a point away at Basel in their final group game on December 7 to guarantee making the knockout stages.

Even if United do progress, they are likely to finish second in Group C, setting them up for a potential last 16 clash against the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

Nani admits United have made their task difficult due to inconsistent performances so far in the Champions League, but the 25-year-old said the players have no problem with taking on a big team in the second round.

“If we get a big team in the next stage, it’s not a problem,” Nani said.

“We have a big ambition to get to the final and you have to play these teams anyway.”

“We’ve made it difficult, but sometimes it’s difficult playing every game with a different team.”

“It was important to Benfica but we will be OK. We are used to this pressure and have enough experience to go to Basel and win the game.”

“It’s true it will be difficult to finish top of the group but you never know, Benfica could draw their next game.”

United entered the clash against Benfica on the back of five clean sheets in a row but conceded sloppy goals as the Portuguese side claimed a draw to guarantee their place in the last 16.

United went behind in the third minute when Phil Jones turned the ball into his own net before drawing level on the after 30 minutes through Dimitar Berbatov’s glancing header.

Darren Fletcher put United ahead at the second attempt in the 59th minute only for Benfica to equalise a minute later as Aimar converted from close range after a poor clearance from David de Gea.

“We are in a good moment,” Nani said.

“We have been playing good football and have to forget this result and think about the way we have been playing. We haven’t conceded goals and winning games has been important.”

“It was disappointing for everyone. The players were a bit down after they equalised and we didn’t have time to score a third goal. We deserved more.”

“We played fantastic football and created a lot of chances to score goals, but wasted a lot.”

“When we scored the second goal, we had the opportunities to score more. We let them create a chance to make it 2-2 and they took it. That was a big problem for us.”