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The next King of Old Trafford? Why Samir Nasri could fill the boots of Eric Cantona

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Could Nasri turn to Manchester? The Frenchman could be perfect for United (Picture - Ronnie Macdonald, flickr)

Could Nasri turn to Manchester? The Frenchman could be perfect for United (Picture - Ronnie Macdonald, flickr)

November 8th 2008. That’s when Samir Nasri made his mark on Sir Alex Ferguson. A marvellous performance at the Emirates Stadium in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Manchester United was probably the day the United manager noticed the Frenchman. Two goals on that day and an impressive show cutting in from the left hand side really brought Nasri into the mind of Ferguson, especially Nasri’s second on that day.

The Frenchman started the move knocking the ball into the feet of Brazilian midfielder Denilson. As Denilson took the ball under control, Nasri had ghosted into that perilous position between the central defenders and the central midfielders unbeknown to United’s central midfielders that day Michael Carrick and Anderson. Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas received the ball from his central midfield accomplice Denilson and used his strength to turn clockwise inside the left side of Rio Ferdinand. Nasri had found a pocket of space and, as Theo Walcott took away Ferdinand’s central defensive partner Nemanja Vidic, the former Marseille man was unmarked 25 yards from goal. Fabregas slipped in Nasri, who let the ball roll across his body and thumped it past the stranded Edwin Van der Sar in the Red Devils’ net. Wheeling away in delight, Nasri knew that his two goals and his performance up until that 46th minute of play had dragged his side back into the title race.

Ferguson was taking notes. A bad leg break for the Frenchman disrupted his 2009/2010 season, but his performances last season reiterated how much of a talent he is and how the performance in November 2008 was not just a one-off occasion. Nasri again showed his talent to Ferguson when the two sides met at Old Trafford 12 days before Christmas. In arguably his second best performance of his season, the game against Fulham where Nasri scored two unbelievable solo goals, the French international midfielder really opened Sir Alex Ferguson’s eyes to the wonders, the delights and the havoc that he can cause.

Now, it seems like a move to Manchester is very realistic for the 23-year-old. Nasri has stalled on his contract talks with Arsenal and Manchester United are ready to step up their chase for the young man after a summer where United have once again exerted their negotiation muscles to the rest of the Premier League. By seemingly attracting Spanish Under-21 goalkeeper David De Gea to join ighly rated England youngster Phil Jones to Old Trafford, the Glazer family have shown they are prepared to put money into the United transfer fund in order to build a squad of future prospects and redevelop the Old Trafford setup.

Nasri could be the new Eric Cantona. There are several similarities between the two Frenchman, apart from the obvious Les Blues connections. Both were born in districts of Marseille and both played for the club. Cantona’s position was always in the classic playmaker role behind a main striker and this season, Nasri has been the main playmaker for Arsenal, scoring 15 goals and assisting 5 in 46 appearances for the Gunners. Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand acclaimed Nasri, stating that he has all the attributes to become the next big French star in English football following on from United’s French legend.

The football isn’t as intricate as Arsenal’s, but the results are permanently there and if the proposed transfer of Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona is correct, Nasri will not be able to carry the team on his own.

Arsenal would demand a high figure for the 23-year-old Frenchman, especially after the Premier League champions pipped Arsenal to the signing of Phil Jones earlier this week. However, the Glazer family have shown they have faith in the manager’s opinions and transfer dealings by backing him heavily with a £37m output on two players already this summer. Nasri would fit in perfectly at Old Trafford, especially in the attacking central midfield role behind the two main United frontmen of Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez. United have not had the same creative spark this season as they have done in previous years. Rooney’s development as a goalscorer will allow Nasri the space and chance to create his own dynasty in Manchester as a playmaker and someone who will be able to carve out an historic name for himself in Old Trafford folklore.

The move to United would suit Nasri. The football isn’t as intricate as Arsenal’s, but the results are permanently there and if the proposed transfer of Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona is correct, Nasri will not be able to carry the team on his own. He had to at points last season when Fabregas was injured and Nasri excelled, but only one man can do so much. Nasri switching to United would open up his game much more and allow him to play with the best players, whilst also showing that he is world-class. Without a doubt, he is going to be compared to the French greats of Zinedine Zidane and now UEFA president Michel Platini.

As Nasri himself has said: ‘There’s only one Zidane, just as there was only one Platini’. A switch to Manchester United could hear the next new French playmakers stating ‘There’s only one Samir Nasri‘.

By Bryan Waters

Can he become the King of Old Trafford? Here’s the best of Samir Nasri:


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