Former Manchester United winger Nani has raised concerns about standards at Old Trafford, arguing that discipline has become a defining challenge for head coach Ruben Amorim amid recent unrest around the squad.
The Champions League winner believes the manager is being tested by public displays of dissent and a lack of internal accountability, issues he says would not have been tolerated during United’s most successful era.
Nani’s comments come after perceived social media barbs involving younger players drew attention in the aftermath of recent setbacks, prompting debate about authority and culture under the new regime.
In reflecting on his own journey, the Portuguese international of Cape Verdean heritage drew clear contrasts with the environment fostered by Sir Alex Ferguson.
He stressed that the former United manager enforced rules without exception, regardless of status or reputation.
“No way, not a chance,” Nani told the Daily Mail for casino.co.uk, when asked whether Ferguson would have acceptediled with such behavior. “If someone needed it, he would put a player to one side for a game, and usually they would learn straight away.”
Nani explained that discipline was embedded in daily life at the club and applied consistently.
“You need to accept the rules and then you need to follow the rules,” he said. “Nobody was bigger than the club. No player, not Ronaldo, not Rooney, not Giggs, nobody. If your behaviour wasn’t good enough, you were punished.”
The former winger also offered a personal example to underline his point, recalling how early missteps were addressed swiftly and firmly.
“It actually happened to me during one of my first weeks,” he said. “I played one fantastic game and then I went several weeks without playing.”
For Nani, the lesson for the current squad is straightforward. He argues that Amorim must establish firm boundaries to steady a team searching for consistency.
“These players need something similar; discipline and rules,” he said, suggesting that restoring order is essential if United are to rebuild authority and competitiveness at the highest level.
