Antonio Valencia puffed out his cheeks when scoring the clincher against Middlesbrough in a 3-1 victory on Sunday. He well might, at a time when fatigue and tiredness have proved to be a concern for Manchester United in the wake of such a demanding schedule both at home and abroad in Europe, the Ecuadorian right-back continues to defy belief with his all-round action displays.
Earlier on in the season, Mourinho heaped much praise for Valencia:
“It’s a privilege for us to be able to keep such a good player and man… He is simply the best right back you can have. There is no better right back in football.”
Big praise but perhaps not a surprise considering the fact that Mourinho admitted that he tried to sign Valencia as his right-back during his tenure at Real Madrid.
When Victor Valdes slipped in the closing stages of the match to allow Manchester United to put the seal on a 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough, it was a simple tap-in for Antonio Valencia. But the question is, what was he doing up there? A testament and an example of his impressive work-rate and sacrifice for the team, he marked his 200th appearance for the club with an impressive display.
The Ecuadorian was virtually playing in two positions at the Riverside. It certainly was reminiscent of the position he was deployed when he first made the move to Old Trafford, when United had the ball. Without the ball, he dropped closer to his normal role with Eric Bailly shuffling alongside Phil Jones and Chris Smalling in a three at the back system.
Jose Mourinho explained his tactical decision at the end – ensuring that Valencia only had to “run 50 metres rather than 100” all the time and that tactical manoeuvre paid dividends as United came out victorious in what was a rugged and hard-fought display against the relegation strugglers Middlesbrough.
Nonetheless, it was yet another all-action performance from a player who is enjoying his most impressive season in a United shirt. Awarded, United’s player of the month for November and January, he is also having a magnificent March as well, not only in the Premier league but in Europe too.
The former winger has admitted he doesn’t see himself “100 per cent” as a full back and demonstrated as much at Middlesbrough where he was rather utilised as a wing back in United’s new look system. He has revelled in the role of sprinting into wide open spaces even when coming from a deeper starting position. In a recent interview, he stated he feels 21 again in Mourinho’s game plan, and statistically with no fewer than 50 sprints at the Riverside he can bomb up and down the flanks like a 21 year old.
As has often been the case this season, it was all rather fluid but there was no doubt, when it was all hands to the pump in the closing stages, that Valencia was being asked to perform on the right of defence. With the home fans behind them, Boro threw everything at United but the South American was not satisfied with just a 2-1 advantage.
With the clock about to tick into the 94th minute, on the back of some outstanding performances against Chelsea and FC Rostov, earlier in the week, the rampaging wide man was not thinking of hacking the ball away and taking a breather. He charged down the flank one more time trying to chase a lost cause, putting Valdes under an alarming pressure. The former United keeper misjudged the ball and slipped allowing Valencia to score his first goal for United since January 2014.
Was that the easiest goal he will ever score? It may look like it but it is far from it, the tenacity and work-rate to get to that point can only be admired. For Sir Alex Ferguson, using Valencia as a right-back was the only option when chasing the game. Louis Van Gaal deployed him there on numerous occasions but it is under Mourinho where Valencia looks to be flourishing.
Impressively, only midfielder Ander Herrera has successfully completed more tackles than Antonio Valencia for United this season. The Ecuadorian has been hard to get past, and has done well on one-on-one situations. While orthodox full-back Matteo Darmian has been beaten 20 times in his nine Premier League appearances, Valencia has been beaten only seven times in 24 appearances. A record that few defenders can match this season.
The attacking qualities of Valencia is there for all to see. Only Paul Pogba has completed more dribbles this season than Valencia and the threat posed by his crossing has been a dangerous weapon – a weapon Zlatan Ibrahimovic is making the most of. Valencia has delivered 39 crosses from open play this season, more than any other player currently playing in the Premier League.
Having started his last 11 league games for the club, there will be plenty of chances to build on that impressive tally as United go all out to try and secure Champions League football next season. Judging by Valencia’s relentless pressing in the 93rd minute against Middlesbrough, Mourinho needn’t worry about his full-backs fitness and fatigue.
The 31-year old is adored by his manager and team-mates – the third longest serving player in the team right now – who feel he is the best right back in the world. His quiet demeanour off the pitch means he does not always get the recognition or praise he deserves. Certainly Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be favourite for United player of the year gong but Valencia’s performances and attitude should not be ignored.
Mourinho may be right – Antonio Valencia should be considered one of the best right-backs around.
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