Red View: Nani title race exclusive, Rafael's firsts, Wigan video + more

NANI'S FEELING GOOD In-form Nani has set his sights on maximum points from three testing away games that could define United's Barclays Premier League season. After the short visit to Wigan on Saturday, the Reds take on a resurgent Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, before Liverpool await at Anfield next weekend. It's a far from easy schedule, but Nani nevertheless believes that, if the Reds are to take a significant step forward in the title race, three wins must be the target. The winger told Red View: "We're about to enter the most important period of the season so far - we have some tough games coming up. I think that if we can beat Wigan, Chelsea and Liverpool, we'll have a great chance to win the league. "But that's easy to say - it's much harder to do it. Chelsea and Liverpool are fantastic teams and we know it won't be easy. If we end up drawing against somebody, it's not the end of the world, but we always go into games with the mentality of winning." Since the titanic Manchester derby win a fortnight ago, Sir Alex's men have put in two subdued displays against Crawley and Marseille, but Nani insists the team's position at the league's summit is reason to be bullish for the week ahead. "We're always confident and I think we have every right to be," the 25-year-old added. "We're top of the league so of course we feel good, and we must have done a lot of good things to reach this point. Now it's important we keep believing in ourselves." More: Log in for Red Voices, ManUtd.com's podcast |  Nani: Strike early at OT SMALLING CONTINUES TO IMPRESS Skipper Nemanja Vidic is thrilled, but not surprised, by how quickly Chris Smalling has settled in the first team. United's goalless draw in Marseille on Wednesday was Smalling's first taste of Champions League knockout football, but once again the 20-year-old looked completely at home on the big stage. With Rio Ferdinand still sidelined, Smalling will make his fifth straight appearance at the DW Stadium on Saturday - and his fellow centre-back has no qualms. "Chris Smalling has done very well," Vidic said. "But he has not surprised me. I train with him every day and he has shown his credentials then. "At 20, I was at Red Star Belgrade. This is a different level of football - I couldn't think what I would do in that position. "He has worked very hard, he has a good physique and, when given the opportunities, he has always shown he is good enough to play at this level. "He should be proud. He has a great future, for Manchester United and England." More: Smalling thrives on big tests | Vidic: One game at a time |  Smalling 'dejected' after draw RAFAEL: FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING  Our swashbuckling Brazilian (well, one of them!) reveals his personal firsts. Wonder if he still bears a grudge against Fabio... First training session at United I was 15 at the time and my brother and I came to train with Paul McGuinness. I remember he showed us a video of Pele - it was fantastic. First United game you attended That's an easy one to remember. It was  United against Roma [10 April 2007] and we won 7-1. It was incredible. Not a bad introduction, hey? First day at school I remember it very well. I cried a lot. I didn't want to be at school that day, I just wanted to go home. First hero Roberto Carlos. I remember watching him and wanting to emulate the way he played. First pet It was a cat, but to be honest it wasn't mine. It belonged to the neighbourhood. He would come and go all the time but he often returned to our house because we would always feed him. First hospital visit I was playing with Fabio and I ended up falling down a hill and breaking my arm. Fabio was fine, though! More: Read our profiles of Rafael and Fabio | Download wallpapers of the twins | Find more features   This email was sent by:Manchester United Sir Matt Busby Way Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 0RA, United Kingdom. This email is designed to be viewed in HTML email clients - if you cannot see the images above, please open an HTML-compatible email account and then register the new address with ManUtd.com. If this email has been forwarded to you by a friend, please register with ManUtd.com to receive the MU Foundation newsletter directly in future. The articles and images in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the views of Manchester United FC. If you do not wish to receive this email please send a blank email from your subscription address to unsubscribe@manutd.co.uk. We are committed to respecting your privacy. Please see our Privacy Policy. Please DO NOT reply to this email.