Manchester United have handed their veteran full-back Antonio Valencia a contract extension, providing him the opportunity to render his services to the club for one more season. The Ecuadorian international is evidently elated with the decision of the club and is looking to give his best next season.
Valencia has been an integral part of the club since he joined in the year 2009. He has played 43 games this season for the Red Devils and was handed the captain’s armband to lead the side out on the pitch in the final of the recently concluded UEFA Europa League, which Manchester United won by 2-0 to beat Ajax. This was the first time the Red Devils won the Europa League in their history.
Jose Mourinho has appreciated the gritty display of efforts by the Ecuadorian full back and has hailed him as the best player in the right back position in the league. Valencia has been brilliant for the Red Devils and has held the defence together for most of the season, one which has been really difficult for Manchester United, with a number of their first team players facing injury scares throughout the season.
Valencia is known for his darting runs on the right-hand side which have helped his team to initiate attacks on the opposition defence. He has an electrifying pace to accompany with his mesmerising dribbling skills and can be dangerous inside the attacking third with his ability to chip in with important goals. His pinpoint passes and crosses are good enough for his teammates to find the target and score goals from time to time.
Apart from the attacking attributes, he is also equipped with the ability to fall back quickly and save his goal from the opposition players, intercepting passes that are being played between the opposition players. His ability to make clean tackles to dispossess the opposition off the ball and make quick clearance is also very handy for the Red Devils to keep the opposition players at bay.
The extension of contract handed to the Ecuadorian full back can turn out to be a rather good decision for the Red Devils in the season to come as he is undoubtedly one of the best players they have at their disposal in the current situation. With the Italian right-back Matteo Darmian being out of favour under the current coach Jose Mourinho, Valencia might be handed much more starts for the club in the next season. But should he be the first choice for Mourinho?
