The Portuguese winger has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford for much of the season and has rarely featured.

"He's injured," Ferguson told manutd.com. "His contract's not up for a year and a half. Yes, absolutely [he has a future at the club].

"Why would I want to let him go? Obviously his people have been negotiating with [chief executive] David [Gill] about a new contract but I don't know what stage we are at with that. But we won't be letting him go.

"We need a Nani. He offers something different from the other players. He's an incredible talent, the boy's a great talent.

"Unfortunately, he's injured at the moment so we sent him over to Dubai for a break and hoping a bit of warmth will help him in his recovery. He's not far away but he's far enough away. I don't think I'll get him back until probably the middle of January.

"It's a hamstring injury he's got. A player like Nani has never had a hamstring injury ever – I don't think he's ever had many injuries with us. But he's got it right in the top and it's a bad one."