{"id":289528,"date":"2023-09-30T07:35:22","date_gmt":"2023-09-30T07:35:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/?p=289528"},"modified":"2023-09-30T07:35:22","modified_gmt":"2023-09-30T07:35:22","slug":"owen-gutted-one-super-talented-man-utd-player-failed-to-reach-ronaldos-levels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/soccer\/owen-gutted-one-super-talented-man-utd-player-failed-to-reach-ronaldos-levels\/","title":{"rendered":"Owen gutted one super-talented Man Utd player failed to reach Ronaldo\u2019s levels"},"content":{"rendered":"
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    Manchester United should have had Cristiano Ronaldo's natural successor in attack ready and waiting to fill the void he left \u2013 in the form of Nani.<\/p>\n

    Ronaldo's former Portugal and Red Devils team-mate signed for Sir Alex Ferguson's side back in 2007. Nani spent two seasons alongside CR7 before the superstar was sold to Real Madrid in a record-breaking transfer.<\/p>\n

    Nani had a slow start to life in Manchester, having arrived at the age of just 20, as he scored 10 goals across his first two seasons. However, his stats and performances improved, with Nani peaking while Michael Owen was at the club.<\/p>\n

    READ MORE: Michael Owen names his favourite football pundit \u2013 and his own strengths on TV<\/b><\/p>\n

    READ MORE: 'I was Prem's hottest talent \u2013 Saudi market fascinates me but you can't buy history'<\/b><\/p>\n

    Owen, who played with many giants of the game at Liverpool, Real Madrid and United, saw first-hand just how talented and dangerous the winger could be.<\/p>\n

    Nani hit double figures in front of goal during both the 2010\/11 campaign, in which United won the Premier League title, and the 2011\/12 season. However, former striker Owen has always felt fans didn't quite get to see the best of what Nani had to offer on a regular enough basis.<\/p>\n

    While Ronaldo's boots were almost impossible to fill, he believed Nani had the characteristics to get closer to the levels the five-time Ballon d'Or winner set in English football.<\/p>\n

    Which Premier League players stand out to you when you think of footballers who didn't fulfil their potential? Let us know in the comments section.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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    Owen exclusively told Daily Star Sport<\/i><\/b>: "I think you go through life meeting people and you think \u2018Oh, he'll do well in life, she'll do well in life\u2019 and whatever. There's loads of players that were absolutely so talented and then probably didn't ever (reach their potential). <\/p>\n

    "And there were lots of players you think might be a bit of a journeyman, and all of a sudden they reach the absolute top because they're just like mentally monsters. And you know of players that were exceptionally talented and probably could have done even more. Someone like Nani at Manchester United.<\/p>\n

    "You talk to players and he came hot on the heels of Cristiano Ronaldo \u2013 possibly felt a little bit in his shadow. But the ability of that kid\u2026 <\/p>\n

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    "He would go and get man of the match three or four weeks on the spin, and then he\u2019d have a little knock or something would go against him and his confidence could be shot and you wouldn't see him for a couple of months type of thing. But he had had just tons of ability."<\/p>\n

    Nani's impact ultimately began to fade in his mid-20s for his club, as he managed just one Premier League goal across his final two seasons playing for United. He enjoyed some success during spells in Spain, Italy, Turkey and back in Portugal, while the greatest days of his post-United career in the US for Orlando City in the MLS.<\/p>\n

    On the other side of the spectrum, Owen played with plenty of footballers who surprised him with their mentality and desire in being able to reach the very top, despite not being the most talented. His old Liverpool pal Jamie Carragher optimised this.<\/p>\n

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    Owen added: "And then there's players that you think, wow. Someone like Jamie Carragher \u2013 a very, very good player, but if you said to someone when he was 16 or 17 \u2018is he gonna make it\u2019, you'd say \u2018yeah, he's gonna have a good career\u2019. But mentally he was just one of the hardest people.<\/p>\n

    "If you were five times better than him, I would still probably bet that he would eventually grind you down because every single day he just wanted it so much. He had just the best attitude, the best trainer, and mentally he was just a total beast and ended up winning the Champions League and being one of the great defenders of his era. And that's not to say he was no good as a kid. I'm saying he squeezed every inch out of his game.<\/p>\n

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    "Someone like Gary Neville would be the same. Just did everything perfectly and ended up having just the most incredible career. I guess it's very difficult. Many players you can see ability, but I think the mentality then sort of takes you where other people can't get."<\/p>\n

    British high-street brand Peacocks has collaborated with former professional footballer Michael Owen on a new men\u2019s casualwear collection. The Michael Owen Edit is now available online and across the 340 Peacocks stores nationwide. Peacocks offers fashion for all the family at affordable prices and great quality. www.peacocks.co.uk<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n