Valencia joined the season late, missing out on the pre-season, when recovering from his injury. “It was tough not being able to go away and do a proper pre-season with the lads,” he said. “But as the season went on, I managed to pick up and my fitness improved and as a squad we’ve put in a good performance.”

Idealo UK have given RoM a Ecuador shirt with Valencia’s name and number on the back to give away. Idealo UK are a price comparison website and in line with RoM’s opposition to buying the club’s official shirt, have given us an international shirt instead.

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“It’s great that they’ve put their trust in me,” said Valencia. “I’m very pleased that I have their support.”

Valencia also won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year, with 37% of the fans voting for him. Rooney came 2nd with 24% and Scholes 3rd with 12%.

Valencia also won goal of the season for his strike against Blackburn to put us 1-0 up at Ewood Park.

“I am very happy to receive all three awards,” said Valencia. “After last night, the longest night of my life, I will take heart from this. There should be 20 of these awards because all of my team-mates deserve one. I’d like to thank them and to thank my fans at home in Ecuador and Manchester United fans everywhere.”

The Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year is Mats Daehli, taking over from Ryan Tunnicliffe.

The Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year is Michael Keane, taking over from Oliver Gill.

“To be honest, I think it’s well recognised by everybody that Antonio has been one of my best friends at the club,” Rafael told MUTV. “That’s not to disrespect anyone but I think we have created a very good understanding on the pitch. I can feel what he wants to do and vice versa and that is probably the reason why we have so much understanding on the pitch. I think it’s quite difficult to define Antonio’s qualities on the pitch. He’s quite fast and direct. He looks for the ball all the time. If I go forward, he covers me at the back and vice versa. It’s easy to work with him and, when I see him on the pitch, it leaves me more relaxed due to the understanding we have on the field.”

“What can I say about his form? He’s been unbelievable,” said Ferguson. “When he first came back into the fold after his long-term injury I played him at right-back one or two times with Nani in the forward position. Once he got a few games behind him his form has been tremendous. When you get players hitting their best form at this time of season, it’s a bonus.”

Valencia scored our opening goal in our vital 2-0 victory over Blackburn this week and celebrated wildly, something very out of character for our Ecuadorian. He later dedicated his goal to Dragan Miranovic who gave Valencia his big break when he was at El Nacional at the start of his career, who sadly died of a heart attack.

“Dragan, this goal is for you, thanks for your advice and your teaching,” he said. “How sad to learn of the death of Dragan, the distance you send my condolences to his family and friends, sad day for football. Tonight is very sad for me by the death of Dragan, the person who gave me continuity in football and for his great advice.”

Valencia was given his nickname, Tono Maravilla, which means ‘The Marvel Tono’, by Orlando Narvaez, another coach at El Nacional. This was the coach who also gave former Birmingham striker Christian Benitez his nickname ‘Chucho’.

A t-shirt for Valencia, who has been one of our most important players this season, has now been added to the Mancunia Merchandise. In April, the profits from this shirt will go to The Christie.

The t-shirts are available for £8.70 ($13.40) although because they have to be shipped from America, the p&p takes the overall price to around £17 for deliveries to Europe (more on p&p). The shop ships to: UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Mexico, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, China, Australia, New Zealand, Korea and Japan.

“There’s a lot of pride in Manchester that our two clubs are the best in England,” said Valencia. “But now we are focused on Fulham because our challenge is to win all our matches and to arrive with an advantage over City on derby day. I’m not saying whether that game will decide the title but it’s clear the winners will deliver a morale blow to the other club. So I expect a big battle and for us to avenge our 6-1 defeat at Old Trafford.”

Watch him running down the wing,
Watch the trophies he will bring,
Watch Old Trafford rise and sing,
It’s a goal,
So nice one Tony.

This is Pete Boyle’s latest attempt to get a song going for Valencia. Gary Neville was impressed with it. Are you?

“He could be very important,” said Ferguson. “His form before he got the injury was outstanding. Now he is back we hope he stays back fit. He is such an honest, hardworking player. You get two sides to Antonio. He is prepared to work really hard. He can tackle, he can run, but he can also beat a man. He has got everything really.”

Only David Silva (12) has more assists than Valencia (11) this season, although he has started ten more games than Valencia has.