Valencia in new deal talks at Utd

Antonio Valencia is to enter talks about a new contract at Manchester United as Europe's big guns sniff around.

The Ecuador winger has been in scintillating form since returning to the Red Devils side after six months out with a broken ankle.

His performances have made the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan sit up and take serious notice.

Valencia, 25, signed for £16million from Wigan two years ago and he still has two years left on his current deal.

But now he is looking for a new long-term arrangement which is likely to be the biggest contract of his career.

A United insider said: "Valencia has been brilliant since coming back from his injury and United want to get him sorted with a new contract.

"But there are lots of other clubs showing interest and he knows he's in a healthy position."

Valencia needs one more Man Utd appearance for winners medal

Sir Alex Ferguson must give Antonio Valencia action in their remaining two games for the winger to be handed a league winner's medal.

The Telegraph says Valencia has made just nine appearances this season after missing six months following the horrific ankle injury he suffered in the Champions League group stage game with Rangers in October, meaning he is one short of the 10 required to be assured of a medal.

Michael Owen, despite starting only one game and admitting on his twitter feed that he "does not deserve one as much as half the team", has played enough to be awarded a medal, by virtue of his nine substitute appearances.

Wes Brown and Gabriel Obertan, both of whom have started more games than the former England international, will not record the requisite number of appearances but United do have the option to apply for both to be awarded medals, as well as Gary Neville, whose retirement came after just three Premier League appearances.

It is believed that the club are unlikely to ask for any of those three players to be given medals unless either Brown or Obertan, both on seven, feature against both Blackburn and Blackpool, though they may appeal — as is traditional — on behalf of Tomasz Kuzszcak, the substitute goalkeeper, who has played just four times but has been a virtual ever-present on United’s bench.

Valencia reveals all about his injury against Rangers

Antonio Valencia is looking forward to the day he can raise his arm to his daughter again - but this time with the Premier League trophy in his hand.

The last time he did it was to reassure little five-year-old Domenica as he was carried off on a stretcher in agony at Old Trafford.

It was on September 14 last year when Valencia fell awkwardly following a challenge from Rangers' Kirk Broadfoot and suffered a broken and dislocated left ankle.

Now, eight months later, he is on the brink of a Premier League and Champions League double with Manchester United.

Winger Valencia, 25, said: "I wasn't signalling to the crowd with that gesture.

"I raised my hand because my daughter's name, Domenica, is tattooed on it and she was at the game, so I wanted to show her I was going to be OK. That's the reason I did it.

"It was obviously a very sad night for me and at that moment I could think of nothing but the pain. I just wanted it to go away.

"I remember just lying there waiting for the doctor to tell me what was going to happen.

"I didn't feel sick or dizzy because I was given oxygen straight away and then an injection. After that the pain started to subside a little."

Following his horror injury it seemed unlikely we would see Valencia again this season.

But the Ecuador winger fought hard to come back - and who was his inspiration?

He said: "My daughter. I was determined she would see me playing again and I kept that thought in my mind all along.

"I also spoke to the club's chaplain, John Boyers, a few times and his kind words gave me more inspiration."

Valencia, who joined United for £16million from Wigan in June 2009, added: "To lift the title for the first time would be the perfect way for me to cap my recovery from injury. It is something I set my sights on."

Valencia told Inside United magazine: "The reception from my team-mates and the fans as I arrived on the pitch was wonderful and gave me extra motivation.

"It was the kind of moment I'd thought about during my rehabilitation."

It took Valencia time to regain the confidence to play with the freedom and determination that had won over the fans following his arrival from Wigan.

He said: "After an injury like that I suppose that's natural.

"When I played against Marseille in the Champions League on March 15, I went in for a tackle and it was at the back of my mind, so I was a little bit tentative.

"But once you start to warm up and look at the players' faces, the adrenalin kicks in and you don't think much about it."

Valencia is back with a vengeance with his form relegating Nani to the bench.

He is even better than before his injury with surging runs down the right and goals against Fulham and Schalke.

And the wideman is now certain to start in the Champions League final with Barcelona at Wembley on May 28.

He said: "At first I thought my speed might decrease permanently but I spoke to the physio and he assured me I was going to make a complete recovery, which gave me a lot of confidence.

"When I was injured I would sit at home watching the matches and think 'If I were in that position, I'd do this or that'. Previously, the longest I'd been out was about three months and this was more than five months, so it was tough.

"But now I'm back at nearly 100 per cent and I'm happy to be involved in these big games.

"Training with the lads and playing at an exciting time of the season - it doesn't get any better than that.

"Football is my whole life and perhaps I didn't really appreciate that before the injury, or even while I was out.

"Now I enjoy every training session and every match."

For the man who once rejected Real Madrid because he was happy at Wigan, there are just three of those matches left this season.

Upbeat report on Valencia and Hargreaves injury progress!

Sir Alex Ferguson says winger Antonio Valencia is looking good for an early return.

The Ecuador winger has recovered from a serious ankle injury suffered earlier this season.

Ferguson told manutd.com: "Antonio Valencia has started running, he's out with the physios every day now.

"He's been given the all clear from the doctors so he is under our complete control now, which is good. We're hoping that towards the end of February he should be back in the squad. That's a big boost to us."

Midfielder Owen Hargreaves has also reportedly returned to light training.

The 30-year-old battled serious knee problems that had threatened to end his playing career, but made a surprise return during the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers in November.

But the return barely lasted a few minutes as the former Bayern Munich man had to leave the pitch owing to a hamstring injury.

He was initially expected to be out only for five weeks, but a slow recovery has seen the player only recently begin light training, according to The Telegraph.

Hargreaves has made a total of 39 appearances in all competitions since his big money move from Bayern to Manchester in 2007.

No progress on Hargeaves injury but Valencia to make Man Utd comeback in February

Sir Alex Ferguson believes winger Antonio Valencia could be back by the end of February.

It was initially feared that the Ecuadorian international, who was so good for the Reds in his debut season after joining from Wigan, might miss the entire season. But that prognosis was re-evaluated after surgery and he looks to be on target to complete his recovery in just over five months.

“Antonio is making progress exactly as we thought he would,” Sir Alex revealed. “It’s always difficult when you’re talking about long-term injuries because you can be weeks out either way. But we’re certainly looking at the end of February or beginning of March.

"He should be back in training in five or six weeks. But given the extended period of time he’s been out, we’ll give him time to get back into the full flow of things.” 

However, there's little news on the progress of Owen Hargreaves.

After missing the last two years with knee problems, Hargreaves is now struggling with a hamstring complaint.

"Hargreaves went to Germany to see a specialist to treat a hamstring injury," said Sir Alex. "There's no further update on that. He's still injured."

The midfielder comes off contract at United in June.

Ferguson at bedside to assure Valencia of playing future

Sir Alex Ferguson has assured Antonio Valencia of his playing future

The Daily Mail says Ferguson was at Antonio Valencia’s hospital bedside by 9am yesterday to reassure the Manchester United winger that he still has a future in football.

Valencia was operated on later in the day in Manchester after suffering a horrific double-break and dislocation of the left ankle during the Champions League goalless draw with Rangers at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Although the Ecuador international faces a struggle to play again this season, Ferguson told him he will make a recovery.

A friend of Valencia told the Daily Mail: "Antonio is devastated and finding it hard to come to terms with what has happened.

"But it cheered him up that Sir Alex came in to see him. He really appreciated that."

Ronaldo should learn from Valencia in club loyalty..+ Man Utd is scouting for France young striker

Winger Antonio Valencia is ready to shun any move to Spain and commit himself to the Old Trafford cause for a decade.

The Ecuadorian, who has missed the pre-season tour with a hamstring problem, has previous experience in Spain with Villarreal.

Valencia said: "I want to stay for another 10 to 15 years at Man Utd, even if Barcelona or Real Madrid want me. That’s my wish."

Meanwhile, Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal were all represented at England's 1-1 draw with U19 Euro opponents France last night.

Chief among their targets was France striker Cedric Bakambu.

Bakambu, 18, is one of the hottest young properties in Europe and though he did not score, he had a fine match with a series of excellent touches and one superb break on goal.

He is currently tied to Sochaux.

Antonio Valencia's journey to be a Red Devil

Antonio Valencia was bought to Manchester United to replace Christiano Ronaldo. The pressure upon him was so tense at that time. The critic doubts that Valencia can produce the performance to replace Ronaldo. Antonio Valencia may not be wearing the iconic no 7 shirt in the squad, but that doesn't stop him from filling Ronaldo's boots brilliantly. No doubt, Valencia first season as a Red Devil was a success.- Man Utd best signing from last season!

Here are things that you should know about Antonio Valencia..Man Utd rising star>>>

His full name is Luis Antonio Valencia Mosquera. His nickname Tono Maravilla means ‘The Marvel Tono’. The moniker was given to him by Orlando Narvaez, a coach from his first club El Nacional, who also gave Birmingham’s Christian Benitez his nickname ‘Chucho’.

The Valencia family sold drinks outside Lago Agrio’s Carlos Vernaza stadium near their bungalow in the district of Guayaquil. The young Valencia, one of seven children — six sons and a daughter — helped by trawling the streets for discarded bottles that his father sold to a bottle-deposit company.

Pedro ‘Papi’ Perlaza, once of Barcelona, spotted the slim young boy playing barefoot on a dusty field near his home. The kid was raw but had obvious natural talent and Perlaza loved the way he effortlessly won possession on the scorched ground. 

By coincidence, Perlaza had been asked to run a football academy in Sucumbios to find the best youngsters in the region. He signed Valencia that afternoon and spent four years improving his skills on pitches often flooded by monsoon rains.

At 16, Valencia moved to Quito and joined the army club Club Deportivo El Nacional on a monthly salary of £34. Within a year, he was fast-tracked into the Under 20s, where he played alongside Birmingham striker Christian ‘Chucho’ Benitez and scored 20 goals in 84 matches.

Valencia’s idol was Edison Mendez, now a winger with PSV Eindhoven. He made his El Nacional debut in the same team as his hero and the pair still play for the national team together, operating on opposite flanks. Valencia has 34 international caps.

His girlfriend Zoila gave birth to Domenik during the 2006 World Cup finals. His daughter’s name is tattooed on the inside of his right arm.

Valencia made his debut for Ecuador in March 2005 and scored twice in a 5-2 win over Paraguay which sealed qualification to the World Cup in Germany. That summer he joined Villarreal.

So impressive was Valencia’s performances at the 2006 World Cup, he was in the running for young player of the tournament with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and eventual winner Lukas Podolski. He was also spotted by Wigan boss Paul Jewell.

Paul Jewell: ‘I was scouting for Wigan at Poland v Ecuador and I thought I might see some Poles of interest — when you’re manager of Wigan you don’t expect to be scouting Ecuadoreans. But Ecuador won 2-0 and there was one player who stood out — Valencia. I liked his reading of the game. I was surprised he was only 20. His game was much more mature.’

Wigan paid Villarreal a £1.5million loan fee and he signed for one season. ‘He arrived on a Friday and we had a pre-season friendly on the Saturday,’ said Jewell. ‘Without having trained, he came on for 20 minutes and straight away the lads could see he was a player. And I liked him, we all did, he always came in smiling.’

He used to attend English lessons with Hondurans Maynor Figueroa and Wilson Palacios before the latter’s move to Spurs. Manchester City’s Felipe Caicedo and Segundo Castillo of Everton joined them but Valencia still struggles with English and his written Spanish is limited. Steve Bruce, who inherited Valencia at Wigan, said: ‘He struggled with it, but it didn’t matter. You knew you could just put him on the pitch and he would pick it up.’

He meets regularly with ‘Chucho’ Benitez. Their friendship goes back to their teenage days together lining up for daily inspections in their army barracks. Benitez said: ‘I remember one day a trainer advised us to eat pasta and a lot of iron to keep fit, but Tono misunderstood. In South America pasta means sauce and it is also what they call toothpaste. The next day I find Valencia tucking in to a tube of Colgate.’

Dave Whelan (chairman of Wigan) said: ‘If every footballer was like Antonio, life would be wonderful. He is a quiet, clean-living, well-mannered young gentleman. When United and Real Madrid came in for him I told him straightaway. I promised all the South American lads that I would keep them informed when the big clubs came in. I did the same with Wilson Palacios. Real Madrid offered us more money but I advised him to go to United because I knew Sir Alex would look after him.’

Sir Alex Ferguson is unstinting in his praise for Valencia. ‘He’s got great balance, power and speed,’ said the Scot. ‘He’s immediately taken to the challenge well and with purpose. We’re very pleased with what we’ve seen.’ 

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!!!