Date: 9th March 2011 at 2:41pm
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Antonio Valencia

Could Antonio be back for the visit of Arsenal?

It is widely being reported that Antonio Valencia is fast approaching a return to the first team.

After he had broke his ankle in September in a Champions League tie against Rangers, the pacy Ecuadorian winger, who recently returned to full training at the end of February, is widely expected to make an appearance for the first team in the not too distant future and could feature for the team as soon as the FA Cup quarter final tie against Arsenal.

Valencia’s return could be classed as timely after his fellow teammate Nani was ruled out for 4 weeks with a gashed leg caused by Jamie Carragher’s outrageous one footed challenge at Anfield on Sunday.

After moving to Old Trafford for £17million last season following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, Valencia made an instant impact for the club scoring 7 times and assisting 14 goals in 49 appearances, helping Wayne Rooney to his career best return of goals in a season.

This season though, Antonio Valencia has been sorely missed by the England international whose goal tally stands at his lowest ever in his career when compared to this stage of each of his previous seasons. At times Manchester United have lacked natural width but his return will now add a new dimension to United’s attacks when trying to unlock the oppositions defence.

With Antonio Valencia closing in on his first appearance since his horrific injury, it is apparent to see that Wayne Rooney and new boy Javier Hernandez will both start benefitting from his deadly deliveries into the box, something that has gone amiss this season.

 

One response to “Antonio Valencia Closing In On A Return”

  1. Jacob says:

    We’ve missed his quality. Now that Nani is sidelined again, we desperately need wingers; Obertan just won’t cut it.