Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will hand Nani a rare start tonight against Capital One Cup opponents Chelsea.

The Sun says Nani has slipped out of the first-team picture.

That is bad news for him with his contract due to expire in the summer of 2014 and with talks over a new deal on hold.

Ashley Young returned from injury and went straight back into the team on Sunday, while Antonio Valencia is also ahead of Nani in the pecking order.

Nani also did himself no favours when he allegedly had a training-ground punch-up with team-mate Davide Petrucci last month.

He is believed to be keen to stay at Old Trafford but needs to start showing his best form to convince Ferguson.