Chelsea Clash Could Prove Pivotal for United Winger's Future - Report

Manchester United winger Nani will be fighting for more than just getting his side into the League Cup quarter final against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Portuguese international has fallen out of favour at United having come close to leaving the club in the summer, while a string of indifferent displays have seen Antonio Valencia and Danny Welbeck prefered ahead of him.

But Nani will be handed the opportunity to impress against Chelsea, according to The Mirror, with the understanding that a decent performance will affect his future opportunities.

"Only God knows what awaits me," Nani said on his United future.

"I am in perfect condition - I am physically good and feeling confident. I am the same Nani as always."

After joining United in 2007, Nani was touted as the new Cristiano Ronaldo, having applied his trade at Sporting Lisbon during the early stages of his career.

However, despite flashes of brilliance, Nani has failed to settle at Old Trafford, having failed to cement his place in Sir Alex Ferguson's first team with Valencia and Ashley Young, both of whom played in the league encounter against Chelsea on Sunday, ahead in the pecking order.

His 33 goals for United also represents a paltry sum during his five years at the club, with rumours persisting over a move to the likes of Juventus and Zenit St Petersburg.

Nani is expected to be among eleven changes made by Ferguson for the second visit to Chelsea in four days, for a League Cup tie which is both down on the list of priorities for both sides.

United defensive pair Michael Keane and Scott Wootton, midfielder Darren Fletcher and striker Danny Welbeck are all likely to be included against a Blues side which is also likely to include a raft of changes.

Oriol Romeu, Ryan Bertrand, Lucas Piazon and Daniel Sturridge should all start for Roberto Di Matteo's side, with Fernando Torres and Branislav Ivanovic unavailable and John Terry serving the third of his four-game ban. Frank Lampard is out with a calf injury sustained against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's internal enquiry into the controversy surrounding Mark Clattenburg is set to come to an end on Wednesday as The FA continue their investigation into allegations the official used of abusive and racial language.