Manchester United's new signings: Carlos Queiroz offered a satisfied smile as he dodged the photographers and climbed into a waiting car in Lisbon with his mission accomplished. After a frantic day of negotiations the Manchester United assistant manager could sit back and reflect upon the reality that Nani and Anderson, two of the most highly rated young talents in European football, will be in the Premiership champions' ranks next season. With the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham deflected and deflated, the first psychological blow in the defence of United's trophy has been landed.
Alex Ferguson's number two could be forgiven his smugness. Nani and Anderson may be relative unknowns in England but they have been exciting scouts on the continent and, should they prove their pedigree in the Premiership, may yet be considered a bargain at a combined £35 million to replace the ageing Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. Much will depend upon how the pair adapt but, given the success enjoyed by Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford, the omens for the chasing pack are ominous.
Of the two new arrivals, Luis Carlos Almeida da Cunha, or Nani, comes with an established reputation. Born in Amadora, where he grew up playing street football with Manuel Fernandes, recently on loan at Everton, he began his career at his local club, Real de Massama, on the outskirts of Lisbon.
While Fernandes veered towards Benfica, Nani was spotted by the Sporting academy scouts and, once ensconced in the youth team programme, he followed Luis Figo, Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma as a winger of rare talent progressing into the first team. A senior debut followed at 18, with Nani established in Sporting's ranks through the 2005-06 season as a jinking winger, all mesmeric footwork and searing pace. He may not quite boast the speed of Ronaldo but he can match his compatriot's trickery and menacing intent.
There was even a goal in his international debut against Denmark last September, complete with trademark back-flip celebration, and a stunning Champions League arrival. An hour into his second appearance in the competition he picked up the ball just inside Spartak Moscow's half, exchanged passes with his team-mate Liedson, then burst through the defence and rounded the goalkeeper to score. He was 19 at the time.
"He is so quick and has unbelievable skill," said Sporting team-mate Miguel Veloso. "He's also deceptively strong, which should help him (in England). He is young but he has everything going for him."
So too, it would seem, does the deadlocked Anderson Luis De Abreu Oliveira. The 19-year-old Brazilian, born in Porto Alegre, spoke yesterday of his move to United being a "dream the size of the world", although if the early assessments of his ability prove accurate it will be Ferguson who is pinching himself at his good fortune.
"Anderson is the most promising of the new generation of Brazilian players," said the former Brazil international Tostao, now a television pundit.
"He has everything it takes to be as good as Kaka or Ronaldinho and if he gets to that level it won't be a surprise. He plays in that position between the midfield and the strikers and is so creative, very skilful on the ball and quick on the break."
This is a player who made his mark with a last-minute goal against Nautico which helped Gremio win promotion to Brazil's top flight. His monthly wage, as a 16-year-old, suddenly leapt from £200 to £12,000, with his performances in the South American Under-17 tournament in 2005 earning a move to Porto.
He was just as impressive in the World Cup for that age group that year - he received the ballon d'or as Brazil reached the final, in which he was carried off injured.
"I saw him when he was at Gremio and he is a good player," said Ronaldinho, also formerly of Gremio, "a really good player."
Yet the praise comes with a warning.
"If I had to point to a negative I would say he is maybe overly self-confident," added Tostao. "When I saw him play at the Under-17 World Cup, in which he was clearly the best player, there were times when he just stood around. He gave you the impression that his attitude towards his team-mates was 'Pass me the ball and I will sort everything out'. Anderson already thinks he is a great player. When Ronaldinho and Kaka were his age they didn't have that attitude, but he is an exceptional talent and could be one of the greats."
It says much that United have moved to secure him despite his being restricted to 15 games last season after breaking a leg.
"But he's a valuable player and will get his chance in the future, for sure," said the current Brazil coach, Dunga.
Anderson will need to prove his quality, like Nani, in the years ahead but already it seems that United - even at £35 million - have secured something of a coup to leave their rivals quaking.
Guardian Service
