Portuguese Star Nani 'Not Thinking About Returning to Manchester United'

Manchester United winger Luis Nani insists returning to Old Trafford "has not crossed his mind" during his loan spell at Sporting Lisbon.

The Portuguese international has revived his career since returning to his boyhood club on a season-long loan where he has arguably been the club's outstanding performer this term.

While Nani frustrated and delighted in equal measure for much of his Old Trafford career, his last two seasons, which were derailed by injury threw his future in doubt, despite signing a new five-year deal last summer.

While his impressive displays back in Portugal have given his chances of being handed another chance at his parent club a boost, the winger insists a return to Manchester is not in his thinking.

Speaking to Sporting's official match day programme, Nani said: "To be honest, I am not thinking about it. It has not crossed mind.

"I am happy that I am around people who like me, feel the warmth of those who believe in me and in my abilities."

Nani, who arrived from Sporting for a fee of £14m in 2007, made just seven league appearances under David Moyes last season, the same number he made during an injury-ridden final season term under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2012/13.

Marcos Rojo, who joined United in the same deal that saw Nani return to the Estadio Alvalade, recently suggested the winger still figures in plans at Old Trafford with the club still closely following his exploits in his homeland.

"The people here at Manchester United are always asking me about Nani," Rojo recently said. "They ask me if he scores goals, whether he is playing regularly and playing well in that position. They are very attentive to the work of Nani."

Nani has made 11 appearances for Sporting this season, scoring four goals.