Winging it: Mr Versatile Antonio Valencia out for Manchester United glory
Antonio Valencia Manchester Unitedare winging it this season. The Reds arent exactly flying by the seat of their pants but boss Sir AlexFerguson has always been an advocate of wide men and has assembled 50m worth of recognised talent that can attack down the flanks.
The addition of 16m Ashley Young this summer from Aston Villa has pumped up the competition for Nani and Antonio Valencia.
Not since the early 90s, when a teenage Ryan Giggs intensified the battle in that department by fighting it out with Andrei Kanchelskis and Lee Sharpe, has Old Trafford been blessed with such a rich unit of wingers.
Valencia was forced on to the back foot in the fight for one of the wing roles after he picked up an ankle injury on international duty with Ecuador in the Copa America.
It meant the 26-year-old missed Uniteds pre-season tour of the USA and the first four matches of the Premier League season.
But he returned on September 14 against Benfica in the Champions League, exactly 12 months to the day since he suffered his horrific ankle injury against Rangers at Old Trafford last season.
The battle to overcome that injury has been won, but now he faces a tough contest with Nani and Young.
Its always important to have healthy competition within the team and this is the situation now, given all the wingers we have at United, said Valencia.
Its very important and a real boost for me to be back in the team. Every time I play for United its wonderful.
My personal goals this season are to win the Premier League and Champions League, and simply to play and bring joy to the fans.
But the three-into-two conundrum, combined with Rafaels dislocated shoulder and emergency right-back Chris Smallings groin injury, has seen Valencia ! step up to answer the SOS in the number two spot.
The South American is prepared to play in any role requested in order to pull on the red shirt.
Ive played at right-back a few times and Ive enjoyed the position, he added.
I respect regular players in that position as they pick up quite a few knocks.
But I have also played back on the wing this season and Im happy anywhere on the field. I hope to be ready and to play well when the boss calls me.
That versatility could stretch even further. Fergie has paid tribute to Valencias stand-in role at right-back but believes there is another string to his bow.
Theres a natural instinct in him to help out and defend, said the Reds boss. Of course, we know all about Antonios qualities as an attacker, but hes also suited to a full-back role.
Hes incredibly difficult to beat if youre trying to get around him. We also see him as an option in the centre of midfield. Hes very disciplined and able to carry out any instruction we give him.
What is Valencia's best position? Have your say.
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The addition of 16m Ashley Young this summer from Aston Villa has pumped up the competition for Nani and Antonio Valencia.
Not since the early 90s, when a teenage Ryan Giggs intensified the battle in that department by fighting it out with Andrei Kanchelskis and Lee Sharpe, has Old Trafford been blessed with such a rich unit of wingers.
Valencia was forced on to the back foot in the fight for one of the wing roles after he picked up an ankle injury on international duty with Ecuador in the Copa America.
It meant the 26-year-old missed Uniteds pre-season tour of the USA and the first four matches of the Premier League season.
But he returned on September 14 against Benfica in the Champions League, exactly 12 months to the day since he suffered his horrific ankle injury against Rangers at Old Trafford last season.
The battle to overcome that injury has been won, but now he faces a tough contest with Nani and Young.
Its always important to have healthy competition within the team and this is the situation now, given all the wingers we have at United, said Valencia.
Its very important and a real boost for me to be back in the team. Every time I play for United its wonderful.
My personal goals this season are to win the Premier League and Champions League, and simply to play and bring joy to the fans.
But the three-into-two conundrum, combined with Rafaels dislocated shoulder and emergency right-back Chris Smallings groin injury, has seen Valencia ! step up to answer the SOS in the number two spot.
The South American is prepared to play in any role requested in order to pull on the red shirt.
Ive played at right-back a few times and Ive enjoyed the position, he added.
I respect regular players in that position as they pick up quite a few knocks.
But I have also played back on the wing this season and Im happy anywhere on the field. I hope to be ready and to play well when the boss calls me.
That versatility could stretch even further. Fergie has paid tribute to Valencias stand-in role at right-back but believes there is another string to his bow.
Theres a natural instinct in him to help out and defend, said the Reds boss. Of course, we know all about Antonios qualities as an attacker, but hes also suited to a full-back role.
Hes incredibly difficult to beat if youre trying to get around him. We also see him as an option in the centre of midfield. Hes very disciplined and able to carry out any instruction we give him.
What is Valencia's best position? Have your say.
Tweet
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