Nani was one of United’s star performers in the first half of last season, but a drop in form following the turn of the year combined with the return to fitness of Antonio Valencia meant he was relegated to the bench for some of the club’s most important games of the campaign, most notably the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.
The arrival of Young from Aston Villa for a fee believed to be just under £20 million appears to have further increased competition for places at Old Trafford, but Nani insists the situation will only spur him on.
“The competition is good,” he told reporters. “It inspires you. If you have competition, you will train harder and push yourself in every game.
“At Manchester United, you have to be ready every time you go on the field.
”Of course I can get better. That is what I am trying to do. It is not easy but it is what I look to achieve every year.
“If I can get more goals and more assists, that will be good for the team and help us in all the competitions we are going for.”
With this season’s title race tipped by some to be one of the most open in recent years, Nani also believes a fast start will be crucial to United’s hopes of defending their Premier League crown.
“In every season it is important to start well,” he added. “But it is even more the case now because this season will be much harder than the last couple.
“All the teams are getting stronger and trying to be much better. We have to match that.”
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Manchester United’s Nani: Competition from Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia will inspire me