Nani... United's new star turn

In a city built around gambling, Nani was given his first run-out in a United shirt and — admittedly against dreadful opposition — immediately provided evidence to suggest that his £17million signing from Sporting Lisbon may prove to be one of Sir Alex Ferguson's safer bets.

Scroll down to read more:

Nothing is certain when paying good money for young players from overseas, of course, and Ferguson has been stung before.

But though 20-year-old Nani may look disturbingly like Brazilian disaster Kleberson — a failure at United three years ago — his football in the Macau Stadium yesterday was more reminiscent of his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo.

Nani may have none of Ronaldo's imposing physical attributes and it would appear he may need a little time in the gym before he is ready for the roughhouse that is the Premiership.

But he does have some of Ronaldo's pace and dexterity, he certainly shares his self-confidence and — as odd as it sounds — he even runs the same as the player who first blazed the trail from Sporting Lisbon to Old Trafford four summers ago.

Yesterday Nani featured for an hour of United's demolition of Shenzhen that provided them with some fitness training and nothing more.

His contribution was among the more noteable aspects of a low-key evening here and his first-half goal and celebration will certainly live long in the memory of 15,000 supporters fed a regular diet of distinctly average football by what would appear to be a distinctly average Chinese league.

Receiving a lay-off from Wayne Rooney in the 23rd minute, Nani struck a low first-time shot with his right foot that beat the goalkeeper low to his right. It was a super strike and one that was followed by a back-flip celebration.

Ferguson and United's insurers may wish to have a word with their latest asset about that particular habit.

Ferguson said: "It was his first game and he needed it. Between the Under 21 tournament he played in for his country in Holland last month and coming out here he has been recovering from injury so he hasn't been able to do very much.

"He hasn't done a great deal of training so we're very satisfied with what he managed in this game. He scored and that was a very good start for him.

"We've been watching Nani since we signed Cristiano from the same club and we have high hopes for him. Hopefully he'll develop into an excellent player for our club. Certainly we will be giving him the chance to do that."

In all likelihood Nani will spend much of his first season at Old Trafford on the sidelines, being used as an impact substitute.

Nevertheless, yesterday he began the game on the right of midfield and was one of United's better players as Ferguson's team scored through Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and Nani in the first half before adding three more through John O'Shea, Chris Eagles and Ronaldo himself after the interval.

Rooney, with a delicate chip, and Eagles, with a crashing volley, scored the pick of the goals as United at least provided some entertainment on a suffocatingly hot night.

Second-half substituite Alan Smith — destined to leave Old Trafford — played like a man who knows his days are numbered. He was a picture of misery as he spurned two clear chances.

Another substitute, China striker Dong Fangzhuo, also looked some way short of Premiership standard but at least he had his recent participation in the Asian Cup to blame for his weariness.

United complete their tour with a game in the Chinese city of Guangzhou on Friday. Recently cited as the source of bird flu and just this week struck by an invasion of mice, it is perhaps no surprise that United will not travel there until Thursday.