United star punches youth player

Manchester United winger Nani looks set to leave Old Trafford after a training ground incident ended with Nani striking United youth team player Davide Petrucci.

According to the Daily Mail, words were exchanged between Nani and reserve midfielder Petrucci at United’s training ground in Carrington.

The Portuguese winger then allegedly called the 20-year-old Petrucci across the gym, and appeared to punch the Italian youth international.

Reports say other players quickly stepped in to prevent the incident from escalating, but Sir Alex Ferguson is now reportedly considering appropriate disciplinary action.

Nani was linked with an Old Trafford exit for much of the summer, with Serie A champions Juventus thought to be interested. The Portuguese international has cut a forlorn figure this season, and was replaced at half-time against Liverpool after another disappointing performance.

A £25m move to Russian side Zenit St Petersburg also fell through during the transfer window, but Ferguson is now expected to offload the winger in January.

It is thought that the former-Sporting player is determined to run down his United contract, which has just under two years to run, after the club refused to sanction a new deal worth around £130,000 a week.