Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 9y

Nani: I left Manchester United because I wanted to play more

Nani said he had to leave Manchester United this summer to get his confidence back.

The winger joined Sporting Lisbon on a season-long loan deal as part of the 16 million pound move that took defender Marcos Rojo to Old Trafford in August.

And the Portugal international is relishing the chance to play first-team football again at his first club after being limited to just 14 league starts in his final two years with United.

His chances at United were further limited after the signing of Angel Di Maria for a British record fee and Nani told reporters: "I saw the opportunities at United were going to be less for me so I had to make a choice.

"I had been at Old Trafford for a long time, for seven years, and I think I needed a little time away to understand and find my confidence again.

"Louis van Gaal gave me the option to go. I could have stayed but I chose the best option for me at the time and I think I was right."

Nani, who is under contract with United until 2018, has scored five goals for Sporting since his return and he said he is happy with his decision to rejoin them.

"I am very happy how it is going at Sporting. That is what I wanted. I wanted to play more. I wanted to get back to my best and I wanted to enjoy my football," he added.

"That is what is happening. It is going well. It has turned out very good for me. It has made me very confident again for the future. Yes I had to get away from United to achieve this.

"I am enjoying my game again. Football is the best thing in my life. Football has given me everything and I when I play I really enjoy myself so I want to play all the time. That wasn't happening when I was at United. When I don't play I am very disappointed.

"You can accept not playing regularly for one or two years but after that when you know you have the quality to play, you have to make a choice. That is what I did and it is working out well."

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