Portugal legend Sousa hails Nani

By Howard Nurse
BBC Sport website football editor

Nani is seen as a possible long-term successor to Ryan Giggs

Portuguese football legend Paulo Sousa believes Manchester United newcomer Nani has the potential to become one of the best footballers in the world.

Capped 51 times by Portugal and now an assistant coach for the national team, Sousa says Nani has enormous potential.

"He's very explosive and very strong. He's fast and is going to be a great signing for United," he told BBC Sport.

"I think that in the next five or 10 years, he and Cristiano Ronaldo can become the best players in the world."

United have agreed in principle to sign the 21-year-old Nani from Sporting Lisbon and the youngster has passed a medical at the club.

He now needs international clearance before he completes his move to the Premiership champions.

Sousa, who won the Champions League in successive years with Juventus in 1996 and then with Dortmund in 1997, said Nani is less versatile than new team-mate Ronaldo.

Nani has incredible talent and Sir Alex loves to work with such talent - and is brilliant at creating big players Paulo Sousa

"Cristiano can play anywhere and is very strong on both feet whereas Nani is basically a left-sided player.

"Nani is still young but has progressed very quickly. He will face strong competition at Manchester which should help him progress," said Sousa.

Nani is seen as a possible long-term successor to Ryan Giggs and is one of three new players United have signed since the end of last season.

He will join England holding midfielder Owen Hargreaves and Brazilian playmaker Anderson as United's other summer recruits.

Sousa, speaking at the Swiss launch for Euro 2008, admitted that Nani is not yet the finished product: "He does need some time and will need to grow up in the correct way.

"He has Sir Alex Ferguson who is a man I love because of the way he brings players on.

"Nani has incredible talent and Sir Alex loves to work with such talented players and is brilliant at creating big players."