Antonio Valencia made a great impression during his first season at United, after signing from Wigan for £16m.
He had scored just 7 goals in 3 seasons at Wigan so critics questioned whether he was good enough for United. Valencia went on to score 8 goals and provide 9 assists in the league.
Valencia has been out of action since September and whilst Nani has done a great job to try and compensate for the absence, Sir Alex Ferguson has today recognised what an impact Valencia had last season.
“He was fantastic last season, absolutely brilliant,” said Ferguson. “He was a great signing, he really was. The great thing about him was he takes the ball with such great strength and balance. He can take the ball up to the other end of the pitch for you. We missed that pace and acceleration. Although Nani has done fantastic – I mean he’s been a revelation this season – we’ve missed that.”
Valencia was due to play for the Reserves against Blackpool this weekend but the pitch was deemed unfit. Some media sources have claimed he could be on the bench for our FA Cup game against Arsenal, although it is likely he will get a run out with the Reserves next Thursday before making his first team return.
Man Utd News 24/7
yeah we’ve really missed his crosses i hope his speed will not be affected by the long lay off.
We have missed him, no doubt. Add to that Park’s injury and Giggs’ inability to play each game and this is one of our worst seasons in terms of winger options.
Fergie has ruled him out of the Arsenal game and that makes sense. It’s best he plays for the Reserves first.
yeah!!! yeah!! yeah!! yeah!!. i was first to comment ,i cant believe it.
Could do with him back ASAFP.
Rooney’s missed him so bad to the point of acting up like a pussy when trying to force his way out.
Ah c’mon Chukzy don’t start with that first bollocks mate!!
Anyway on topic Tony V has been sorely missed that extra bite down our wings has been marginally lacking though I hope he comes back with a clear mind and that there’s no mental scars.
Hope we smash The Arsenal tomorrow to further dent their confidence.
The injury list has eased and hope Rio will be available for Marseille he is vital to our defence though I’m not taking anything away from young Chris
Here’s how I see us lining up tomorrow:
VDS – Brown, Vidic, Smalling, Evra – Fletcher, Carrick, Gibson – Obertan, Hernandez, Rooney
Scholes, Giggs, Rafa, Rio and Berb saved for Tuesday.
So eager to have a fit Tony V back on the wing! Take your time son.
Ryandunny’s video on Tony, re-linked by him last night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo5_pp18FmE&tracker=False&lc=J7SDAs2KBuUeuIu45hoG2VcMvAVllRvHAL5YJnZcohU&feature=inbox
Team for tomorrow (predicted, not desired):
VDS,
Rafa, Vida, Smalling, Evra
Obertan, Fletch, Scholes, Carrick, Rooney
Chicha
I know you cannot attribute Rooney dire current season form to the absence of Valencia (ie cannot pass the ball5 yards at times) but i think united and wayne in particular did benefit from valencias directness and early crossing last season.
It will be absolutely delightful to have Tony V back after such a long lay-off. He was superb last season, and I have high hopes that once he regains match fitness, he can provide the added drive we need to take down this title!
WELCOME BACK TONY!
Good morning Costas! That line up looks good, and saves key personnel for the CL. I presume that Vidic will play left CB, and Smalling right CB? And Obertan/Rooney? Obi start on the left?
I ’ m surprised to
see SAF saying that he will put out strongest
team whereas morethan half of the best players
are out injured and on valencia I thought atleast
he would make it to the bench but looks like we
arent going to see him anytime soon may be the
club is little careful this time after hargo debacle ,
and oh some news on hargo he is expected to
be back from Germany this weekend, hope he
will play one more game for us
read some where that ando will be available
after international break , which means we will
have four of our major players nani, valencia ,
ando, park back by then which is really good
news and we don ’ t have any away games till
then, so I think we can pull through with
available players for the next 3 home games
regarding rooney missing valencia, I think its bullshit rooney is missing his own self even though he scored few goals recently his general play has been very average, even for him to utilize valencia’s service from the wing first he need to get back to his usual best
@Smartalex
Morning mate. Yes, I meant to put Smalling on the right side of defence. I never put the CBs in order. As for the attack, if that’s a 4-3-3, I put Obertan on the right and Rooney on the left. If Rooney is going to play as a winger, I feel that the left side suits him more. Of course, that line up could also be a 4-4-2 with Fletch on the right, Obertan on the left and Rooney next to Hernandez.
This is the type of game Brown could start in I feel. I don’t see the need for O’Shea to help Smalling aerially in this game. But it all depends on who Sir Alex plans on starting against Marseille.
@ancha
It will be nice to have these 4 players back immediately after the break. Hopefully Nani will skip the Portugal games. Our fist game back is at Uptop Park in a Saturday noon kick off. How is it we always end up with these?
But we can still pick a fresh side for that with Park, Berb, Evra, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs and Nani.
My player of the season last season.
I feel sure that we would have the title in the bag by now had we had him fit.
Costas – I hope that Wes’ hiatus is over! I believe that it must be, so Wes at RB is a tremendous option to have again. I think that 4-3-3 is likely, however I’m going 4-4-2. Also, Berbatov could start, if Ryan is playing on the left against Marseilles (leaving Wayne up front alone).
Lets hope we can have Nani and Valencia for the last games for the Premiership. Want the league so bad, the FA Cup and even Champions League is a distance second when it comes to trophies desired this season.
Any news on Park and Anderson?
It is a blow we are missing 10 senior players agaist gunners. hope we will beat them 2-0
Arsenal Preview: Advancement And Advantage
http://www.theunitedreligion.com/2011/03/arsenal-preview-advancement-and_11.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/8374815/Manchester-United-manager-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-to-claim-that-post-match-comments-about-referee-Martin-Atkinson-were-misconstrued.html
Dear dear dear Lord
They sink lower still
Morning Reds
Nice one, Hammons! One typo “passed Leyton Orient” should read “past LO”…just thought of pointing it out. Cheers!
Events around the world, puts us moaning about injuries, into perspective.
willierednut
Good point – I’ve just heard about Japan and the ripple effects of the earthquake
No matter what we are still standing
Brilliant conventional vintage winger. Our strikers’ heads will do more work now that he’s edging towards a return. Me thinks Chicharito will take his heading tricks to a whole new level now that Tony V is back.
MG – Yeah mate. Things like that, make me grateful, I live in the UK.
Me think Chicharito is going to benefit more compared to Rooney, with TonyV’s return.
Me think compared to Rooney, Chicharito’s head will benefit more with TonyV’s return.
For me Chicharito should be starting games now leave Rooney sweating on the bench.
Chico is more of goal threat then Rooney.
I totally agree redfever tony v will be better for chico,
its time rooney to find out that he does not have a god given right to start games.
redfever and kingof thestretfordend snap
We have absolutely missed the balance that Valencia brought us when he played with Nani. I have compared the role Nani plays when Valencia does play with his role when he doesn’t, and it causes us all sorts of shape problems.
http://www.fivecantonas.com/antonio-valencias-return-sort-shape-problems/
Plus, Tony is a great professional and a real dangerman going forward. I can’t wait to have him back.
Fuck this is a dull day so far. Shite news about Nani but he was due a rest in anycase.
Did you lot see that great big portion of shark fin soup bite back, makes you think there is a god.
@Goatina
You sound more and more like a right wing xenophobe each day…
@willie bad shit has been happening all over this year,don’t want to be doom and gloom but britain is not that safe mate,if a tsunami hit the east coast of the us britain would have only a few hours notice it would cause massive devastion,plus the rising sea levels are a major problem,coastline is being slowly eroded and i think some parts of southern england are sinking.british goverment have to figure things out to protect against flooding being at sea level is pretty dodgy nowadays.
The Berb
Im a conservative and not left wing but Im very much not an xenophobe or Nazi. I will not feel pity for a country that refuses to acknowledge war crimes and the hourendous crimes against our boys after the last war. It cant be too dificult for them to appologise and thats all they have to do. A few flat screens and a fucking robot that looks like its got the runs isn’t going to break the ice with me. Im maybe of an older generation to you and not so blaze about the past. I remember.
Goat, first, I think you meant whales instead of sharks. Sharks are across the Yellow Sea. I know where you are coming from. Just out of curiosity (I dont know for a fact), did the yanks apologise for the bombs? I’m not sure I agree with your line of thinking though, to be honest I think the whole human race needs to do some fundamental rethinking on its priorities…the whole nation concept is getting outdated, things like whales and sharks are actually far more important than something like a tiny arid piece of land that someone is supposed to have promised to someone like a million years back…naive, but true…
Wayne – These disasters are happening more frequently now. You’ve had the floods in Australia. The earthquake in Chile. Another earthquake in New Zealand. Now, this in Japan. Makes you think of those films, 2012 and the day after tomorrow. Of course, that’s only films, this is very much real life.
With you in alot of that Jeet. You could be right about the shark fin soup, I just remebered a year back that there was an outbreak of some dodgy stock as it were in Japan, maybe its a multicultural thing rather than tied to a specific country. Im with you Im multi national and the Internet is my country.
As with the US and the bombs Im actually opposed to the idea of them appologising as they were attacked, when they didnt want to get involved in the war. The bombs actually saved lifes and subsequently created world peace (in the form of no more WORLD wars). They have to be dropped before the people take note of their power. Their power doesnt only lie in the knowledge of the blast but the fact that they have and will be used if deemed neccesary. The dropping of the bombs in any case is a Japanese American issue and shouldnt play any part in an appology between Japan and Britain.
willierednut.
Ive been saying for years that this is due to global warming. The earth warms therefore more energy is stored in the earths surface. This will in turn create an increase in sizemic activity. More Volcanoes go off and more of the sun is blotted out, the cooling effect on average is equal to the warming effect. The earth is stable and there is sod all to worry about. Ive always been of the opinion that there is global warming but the need for man to drastically reduce its effect on the environment is over exagerated. The reason why this is an issue is because we live in an ever more increasingly capitalist world and to keep non needed jobs alive you have to invent problems to be solved. I mean what has been invented in the past 30 years which isnt just an improvement on an old technology. Better cars/boas/planes etc but no hover boots or jet socks. Better micro processors but no teleportation devices. Better microwaves/ cookers/ heating systems but no invisible energy suits ????? Weve invented everything weve ever wanted and the worls doesnt need another medium to put in its stereo and re buy its entire music collection again. We have 3D plasma fucking teles we dont need 3D LED tritriptic fuck pig volcano 8000+ environmental hologramatic SkyPlus Tvs weve only just replace our widescreen dolby tosspot flatscreen plug and play teles.
Its all a fucking swizz.
@willie yeah mate i normally don’t buy into ancient prophecies but its eerie this year.the mayans,hopi,nostradamus and book of revelations all point to 2012,think nostradamus predicted more civil unrest and more natural disasters prior to 2012 and thats whats happening.weird fucking shit is happening,birds falling dead out of the sky,lake fulls of dead fish latest1 mill dead sardines i know its all explainable still fucked up.next year sun lines up in the center of the galaxy that only happens every 25,000 yrs so its all pretty freaky.
Goat – my opinion is that there was no need for FatBou and ThinMan when the war was pretty much won – it was just a great opportunity to test the technology. I mean they deliberately chose the 2 cities bcos they surrounding topography (hills surrounding the city) meant that the impact would be max. concentrated and they would have a good case to study the effects. Anyway, this is not the right forum, so let’s just differ and move on to the waiting arse…I fancy that as a far more pleasurable activity
@Wayne: Just imagine if the 2012 thing came true…wouldnt it be such a fucking joke on the whole of humanity. I mean, here we are, fucking billions living like rats and fighting like rats over our own tiny scraps, buying insurance, paying off mortgages, backstabbing colleagues and forming cliques at work and the whole fucking joint goes kaboom!! If we knew it was gonna happen, we would just dump everything and go back to the simple pleasures, live off the land, smoke some, travel a bit while it lasts, conflicts would go down, and advertising execs would find this huge vacuum in their existence. But then again, it could probably be total fucking anarchy…
Goat – I bow to your greater knowledge, in that aspect.
@Wayne Yeah mate, I forgot about the birds falling out of the sky, for no apparent reason. You also think, of the floods in Britain 2007. Then the extreme snowfall last year. These occurrences, are happening all too frequently now.
@jeet lol mate think total anarchy is what would happen all those cunts ripping off the ave guy and becoming super rich,the corrupt polticans would be strung up by the balls,so even if goverments knew it was going to happen don’t think we’d find out till it was to late
Nostradamus wrote his works in such a way they could be interpreted a million different ways not much unsimilar to the Bible and the Koran. Whereas the Bible and Koran are books that attempt to guide people with their wordly problems, Nostradamus was just a drunk scouse of his day that tried to be more clever than he was and wanted to drive fear into people. Its sad when someone gets away with fear mongering. Unfortunately not one of Nostradamuss predictions have come true. And in prediction I mean date/ persons / countries involved etc. Its fucking easy to say that the world would be at war because 1 he lived in the world (he knew it excisted) and 2 there was such thing as war. So it goes to say that at some point in the future the world would be at war. I’ll make a prediction. One day a metal object like a bird will fly to Mars and man will step onto its surface as say “Its fucking hot here eh!”.
Hail the goat, the see all and know all. Can I have some fucking money now.
Oh if you want I’ll also predict.
A strange creature with an axe wound were a penis would have been in prehistoric times shall get off its feking arse and make me a cuppa through pain of death.
@Goat hi mate yeah his quatrains are open to interpretation and his prophecies started after he discovered drugs,its just a little odd that different religions.races etc are all ponting to 2012,know the mayans and nostradamus can be connected through astrology,so the sun lining up next year would explain why both would think something major was going to happen, still theres no denying still pretty eerie all the shit thats happening this year.
willie is right. The tragedy in Japan does put things in perspective. Nani out for 3 games doesn’t seem so bad now.
However, one thing doesn’t change. Carragher is still the lowest form of scum.
Costas – No mate, he’s much lower than that. He’s the fungus, that grows on scum.
If it all ends in 2012, this is the time to knock liverpool off their fucking perch, for eternity.
No one’s gonna remember that if everything is up in smoke? We need a big banner in space.
This was Earth, where Manchester United played.
Space the final frontier
These are the voyages of the starship ROM boldly going where no one has ever gone before
We have to do it this season. Between Gerrard opening his legs like a whore last year and Carragher trying to take out Nani this season, it’s pretty obvious how desperate they are to prevent 19 from happening. It’s their last castle so to speak.
Speaking of Stevie Me, he will be out for a month. He will be back in time for the Arsenal-Pool game though. You never know. Van Persie might need someone to set up the 1st goal for him.
If it ends in 2012, there’ll be no perch to speak of.
Not being horrible but prsonally I do NOT want to see Obertan start tomorrow, not in a big game like this. However our options are limited. Woould rather see Fabio out there. I just can’t take to Gabriel, its harsh but my view I am afraid.
Rooney will probably play out on the right. Never works.
At Intergalactic Control they will always be in awe of Manchester United.
If we were playing 4-4-2 tomorrow, I’d use Obi and Fabio on the wings with Rooney and Hernandez up front. If it’s 4-5-1/4-3-3, I don’t know if Fabio is useful as a winger in that system.
I want us to play 4 – 4 – 2 tomorrow. I wanted Giggs (LW) and Rooney with Berbs, but chose Rooney (LW) and Hernandez up front. Keeping Giggs sharp for Marseilles, and available from the bench.
Van Der Sar
O’Shea Smalling Vidic Evra
Fletcher Carrick Scholes Rooney
Berbatov Chicharito
Surely the little pea has to start against Arsenal?
If we take it that SAF will pick his strongest team, then Hernandez should be retained as the highly effective impact sub. However, I struggle to expect SAF not to keep back Giggs or Scholes for Marseilles. I think Scholes has to start against Arsenal, as then he will know Sir Alex still considers him as ‘best’.
Makes sense to keep Giggs and Scholes for the Marseille game. The tempo of European football, is less intense, to that of the premiership.
Perhaps I should add, that if Giggs is held over for Marseilles, Rooney starts on the left against Arsenal, creating an opening in the 4 – 4 – 2 for Hernandez.
It does make sense to keep both back, unless we consider this match as the most important of the season thus far. Consecutive losses to rivals and rot-stopping spring to mind.
Have a look at this, up yours ABU media:
http://www.thehardtackle.com/index.php/man-united%e2%80%99s-corner-scot-ferguson-vs-the-world/
Massively missed him. A top drawer player – gives us strength and pace on the flanks, just like Kanchelskis in his pomp.
yes we have missed tony v alot top player