Michael Carrick has sung the praises of Antonio Valencia, who has done a good job of filling in at right-back during the injury crisis.

Antonio is a pure athlete. He is immense. It is the work he does that doesn’t get noticed, things like carrying the ball up the pitch for 30 or 40 yards when you have been defending. He takes you up the pitch and defenders just back up because they know about his pace. If he can go down the line, then he is pretty hard to catch. He is a great team player and, when you are playing with him, you certainly appreciate that he is on your team. He is pretty much the full package. He is reserved but determined at the same time. He is quiet, he is pleasant and he is polite. He is not somebody who shouts and screams in the changing room but I certainly wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of him. He is stubborn and determined. He has got a real desire to win, like everyone at this club.