MANCHESTER United's Portuguese winger Nani has spoken for the first time about claims that he attempted to ''humiliate'' Arsenal with some unsportsmanlike showboating, writes Russell Greaves.

The controversy erupted after the two sides met at Old Trafford in a one-sided FA cup fifth round clash in February. United ran out 4-0 winners and the visitors ended the game with ten men after Emmanuel Eboue was dismissed for a high challenge on Nani.

Later in that game Nani appeared to tease the Arsenal team with a brief spell of ball-juggling by the touch-line, an action which prompted first Nicklas Bendtner then Kolo Toure to lunge in with uncomposed challenges.

Nani, who scored the last of the four goals, insisted that he had not acted disrespectfully.

''I wasn't showboating," Nani told Portuguese sports daily O Jogo. "It was something that happened naturally and some people interpreted it incorrectly. In trying to control the ball it took a bad bounce, and that was the only way I found not to lose possession.'' He deflected the criticism away from his supposed mickey-taking and landed it squarely at the feet of his Arsenal counterparts.

He continued: ''Some Arsenal people were furious for other reasons and this incident gave them the chance to let off steam. Actually, it is some Arsenal players who have been going about trying to humiliate us, showing disdain for our value.''

Do you think Nani meant to humiliate Arsenal with his showboating at old Trafford? Have your say below...