EXCLUSIVE: Ferguson fumes at Nani after winger punches reserve midfielder Petrucci
Nani has moved a step closer to the Old Trafford exit after an incident which ended with him landing a blow on a young Manchester United team-mate.
Words were exchanged between Nani and reserve team midfielder Davide Petrucci after a training ground challenge at Carrington.
Nani later called the 20-year-old Italian over in the gym and the rest of the squad thought the pair would talk through their differences, but they were said to be stunned when Nani appeared to land a punch on Petrucci.
Bust up: Nani is believed to have struck United team-mate Davide Petrucci
Other players quickly stepped in to prevent further trouble.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is still said to be considering what disciplinary action to take against the frustrated Portugal winger, who was hauled off at half-time against Liverpool last week following an abject first-half performance.
Ferguson is believed to be fuming over the incident, which took place earlier this week and will only harden his resolve to offload Nani at the first opportunity.
A £25million deal to sell him to Zenit St Petersburg in the summer fell through because his 'unreal' wage demands put off the Russian club.
It is believed that Nani wants to run down his contract, which has almost two years left, after United refused his request for a new deal worth £130,000 a week.
Row: Nani was upset with Davide Petrucci (pictured) at Manchester United's training ground in Carrington
Unhappy: Nani was said to be annoyed with his team-mate over a challenge during training
The 25-year-old has cut an increasingly frustrated figure, having failed to make any impression this season.
He was booked less than two minutes into United's first game of the season at Everton and then upset Ferguson by missing a penalty against Galatasaray last week.
He is expected to be in the squad to face Tottenham today but only because first-choice right winger Antonio Valencia has been ruled out with an ankle injury.
The Valencia blow adds to United's problems after captain Nemanja Vidic was ruled out for eight weeks following more surgery on his injured right knee.
'I don't think Nemanja was ever 100 per cent,' said Ferguson. 'I noticed a couple of times in training that he was limping and then he started feeling tightness in his knee.
The main operation was to correct the cruciate ligament but there is always the danger that the cartilage is also damaged and that was the case.'
Sportsmail contacted United on Friday night but they declined to comment.
Raging: Sir Alex Ferguson is believed to be fuming at the Portugal international over the incident
Angered: Ferguson was already frustrated with Nani after he missed a penalty against Galatasaray
Most watched Sport videos
- Netflix teases Tom Brady's Greatest Roast of All Time comedy special
- Everton 2-0 Liverpool: Everton Boss Sean Dyche's press conference
- Coventry fans clap team after FA Cup exit
- Fans boo during Onana's interview
- Mike Tyson trains ahead of fight with Jake Paul
- Ruud Gullit on England, the Euros, Chelsea and Man United
- Landlord Liverpool star under criticism
- Tony Bellew opens up on school expulsion after injuring classmate
- Two Premier League stars have been ARRESTED
- Arsenal Manager Arteta reflects on 5-0 win against Chelsea
- Mauricio Pochettino is 'disappointed' for Chelsea defeat to Arsenal
- Athletes shine on Laureus Awards red carpet in Madrid