Manchester United winger Nani claims to relish the physical nature of life in the Premier League.
United winger has no complaints about heavy-handed treatment
Manchester United winger Nani claims to relish the physical nature of life in the Premier League.
The Portugal international is regularly on the receiving end of full-blooded challenges, with defenders aware of the need to contain his creative talents.
At times that shackling can cross the line, with Nani laid low by a lunging tackle from Liverpool's Jamie Carragher at Anfield in March.
The 24-year-old has bounced back from each hefty blow, though, and insists that he enjoys the rough and tumble of English football.
Nani told
The People: "The opposition defenders realise if they kick they can get a yellow or red card. So they don't kick like they did a couple of months ago, but it doesn't matter because this is football in England.
"I enjoy playing here and you get kicks all the time. This is proper football, strong football and the tackles make football in England beautiful.
"You have to have the tackles in the game otherwise it is nothing."
Nani's next test will come against Chelsea on Sunday, when he comes face-to-face with the likes of David Luiz and Branislav Ivanovic.
No fear
The Blues back four will take no prisoners in a crucial top-of-the-table clash at Old Trafford, but Nani says he can handle whatever Carlo Ancelotti's side throw at him.
"I don't like the tackles but it doesn't scare me," he added.
"A lot of the defenders don't know me, my attitude, how I think about my football, how I think about the way I play the game.
"I am strong and I like to play. I like the defenders to come to me because I can beat them. I know I have the skill to do that.
"Of course, sometimes you can be injured in a tackle but you have to accept that.
"I never worry about the ref protecting me because when you start to think about refs, it is always bad and things are never like you want.
"I know Luiz but just from TV. I didn't play against him in Portugal, but he is a good player.
"Of course, we have to beat all the defenders from Chelsea, not just Luiz, and we will try to do our best and score goals. I just want to think about my team, play well, score goals and try to win the games."
