Rojo a Red as Nani moves to Sporting

Sporting Lisbon have sanctioned the sale of defender Marcos Rojo to Manchester United, with winger Nani returning to Portugal as part of the deal.

Yesterday morning, Argentina international Rojo, 24, hinted he was poised to move to Old Trafford and become part of Louis van Gaal’s squad, and both clubs later confirmed his transfer.

Tweets published through the Primeira Liga club’s official account welcomed Nani to the Estadio Jose Alvalade while announcing United had also given Sporting €9 million to help construct their new indoor arena, the Pavilhao, in exchange for securing Rojo’s services. United swiftly followed suit by tweeting: “#mufc has reached agreement with Sporting Lisbon to sign defender Marcos Rojo, subject to a medical and personal terms.

“A further announcement will be made when the process is complete.”

The 27-year-old Nani, who moved to Manchester seven years ago, is understood to have joined the Lions on a season-long loan, but neither club has released details pertaining to the winger’s move.

The Cape Verde-born player spent four years as a Sporting player after leaving Real Massama in 2003.

Rojo is equally comfortable at centre-back as he is at left-back and played all 120 minutes of July’s World Cup final as Argentina lost out to Germany 1-0 after extra-time in Rio de Janeiro.

In an interview with the radio station Continental in his homeland, quoted in several national newspapers, he said: “It’s a dream to play at Manchester United and I am very proud of having the chance of working with Van Gaal.

“I spoke with Juan Sebastian Veron about Manchester United when we were at Estudiantes. I have always liked English football, and I should adapt to this new playing style easily.”

United’s move for Rojo had been complicated by a row between Sporting and a third-party ownership group, while the player upset his employers by initially refusing to train in a bid to push through the deal, although he later apologised and returned to work.

“There was a misunderstanding, I never wanted to do something wrong at Sporting as I have always been very thankful to that team that gave me many chances for playing in Europe,” Rojo said. “If I made a mistake, I have already apologised because I didn’t want to hurt the feelings of anyone at the club.”