Manchester United winger Nani has been nominated for Sporting Lisbon’s Footballer of the Year award, after only playing 15 matches since returning back to his old club on a season long loan.

Nani was considered surplus to requirements at Old Trafford and was sent on loan to Sporting in a part exchange deal that saw Marcos Rojo, the Argentine left-back, joining the club in summer.

The Portugal international, who has had cut a frustrating figure at the club, in the past few seasons, has hit the ground running at Sporting, where he netted six goals and provided six assists as well.

Portugal newspapers are full of praise for Nani and they claim being loved by the fans again is the only reason why the Manchester United winger is getting back to his old best.

As a result of his strong performance, Nani is nominated as Sporting’s Footballer of the Year, as reported by Portugal newspaper Record.

Check the complete winner list below:

Jorge Fonseca (Judo), European

Diogo Chen (Table Tennis), European

Pedro Fraga (Remo), European

Silvia Saiote (Gymnastics), European

Diogo Abreu (Gymnastics), European

André Pimenta (Roller Hockey), European

John Campelo (Hockey Roller), European

André Gaspar (Roller Hockey), European

Katarina Larsson (Triathlon), European

João Vaz (Adapted Swimming), World

Ricardo Fernandes (Full Contact Kickboxing and), World

João Costa (Tyre), World

Emanuel Silva (Canoeing ); World

Silvia Saiote (Gymnastics), Athlete of the Year

Pedro Portela (Handball), Athlete of the Year

João Mário (Football), Revelation of the Year

Nani, Footballer of the Year

Daniel Podence, Academy Sporting

Pedro Pimenta (Roller Hockey), Seccionista the Year

Artur Costa (Former Director), Dedication

João Gomes (South Africa), Partner of the Year

Nuno Dias (Futsal), Year of the Technical

Alfredo Pinheiro (Handball), Saudade

Paulo Santos (Official), Special

Eduardo Fernandes (Official), Special

Sporting Wiki (Online Encyclopedia since 2008), Special

Ricardo Dias (Handball), Special Career

Carlos Vieira (Vice-President of the Executive Council) Year Director

Nani will collect the award at a gala to be held in Lisbon on December 18. Manchester United are closely following him since his loan move and there were even rumours that Louis van Gaal wants to bring him back at Old Trafford in January.

The winger himself has time and again stated this season that he is unsure about his future, but United are most likely to recall him for next season, unless they find suitable replacements.

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