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.




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The RoM Manchester United 2024-25 season preview is now available. It includes articles from the country's best football writers about our expectations for the season ahead and our brightest talents, as well as proposed transfer business and which youth players to keep an eye out for. All profit goes to The Christie so please support this fantastic cause.