Antonio Valencia- Another world class player in the making

When Wayne Rooney embarks on his award-collecting tour at the end of the season, the Footballer of the Year- elect will send more than a passing nod in the direction of Antonio Valencia.

Of his last five headed goals, the Ecuador winger has provided four of the crosses.

More than a few eyebrows were raised when Sir Alex Ferguson shelled out £18million of the Ronaldo cash to sign Valencia from Wigan. But the Manchester United manager's judgement once again appears to be shrewd.

Figures show the 24-year-old already boasts, in key areas, better statistics than Ronaldo and Beckham.

Valencia comes out on top of the three-man chart when it comes to passing accuracy, crossing accuracy and shot conversion rate.

He also creates chances more frequently than his stellar predecessors did at Old Trafford.

Beckham, England's most-capped outfield player created a chance once every 29.9 minutes while Valencia has manufactured an opening every 26.4 minutes.

Ronaldo averaged nearly 50 minutes for every chance created.

Even more impressive are the Valencia numbers when it comes to passing accuracy. He has an 83.9 per cent success rate compared to a figure of 76.6 per cent for Beckham and 82.1 per cent for Ronaldo.

Indeed, almost under the radar, Valencia is fourth in the Premier League's assist table.

And he is already looking like representing value for money despite many people believing Ferguson had paid too much in his determination to see off interest from old foes Real Madrid.

Typically, he was snapped up by a Spanish club, Villarreal, who loaned him to Recreativo Huelva, where he helped the club win promotion to La Liga.

But it was his eye-catching displays in World Cup 2006 that sealed his move to the Premier League. Valencia is proving to be a hybrid of Ronaldo and Beckham - more orthodox than the Portuguese and trickier and quicker than the Englishman.

His crossing - as Rooney will testify when he picks up the countless gongs coming his way - has been exemplary with an accuracy rating of 29.2 per cent.

That compares with a 28.1 per cent rating for Becks and a 20.1 per cent figure for Ronaldo.

There are signs - and statistics - that show Valencia could become as big a United hit as Beckham and Ronaldo. I can't wait to witness that! Glory Glory Man Utd!!!