[Rossa]

I think this guy deserves some praise. He nullifies fast attackers to such an extent that people just take it for granted. Almost single handedly, he ruined Newcastle's counter attacking play by outpacing them time and time again. He did the same against Southampton with that fast lad down the wing, and Schlupp was given nothing today. Almost any other fullback in the league would have struggled at least from time to time against these players.

I also don't think he's a defensive liability so much anymore. He saved Rooney's arse and then another one later on.

 

[Devil may care]

They got no joy down our right until he came off, I'd say he'll be the starting RB until the end of the season.

 

[Yorkeontop]

Some praise for the man, I'm suprised. I had come in here to plead his case. I had "judge him as a fullback" ready to go.

 

[DevilRed]

Solid performance but really leceister posed no threat at all from that left flank of theirs.

 

[Orton]

We also posed no threat down the right, again.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

I think this guy deserves some praise. He nullifies fast attackers to such an extent that people just take it for granted. Almost single handedly, he ruined Newcastle's counter attacking play by outpacing them time and time again. He did the same against Southampton with that fast lad down the wing, and Schlupp was given nothing today. Almost any other fullback in the league would have struggled at least from time to time against these players.

I also don't think he's a defensive liability so much anymore. He saved Rooney's arse and then another one later on.

He is poor in attacking areas though. He put in my one decent high cross today, which sadly for him, is better than usual.

 

[bugmat]

They got no joy down our right until he came off, I'd say he'll be the starting RB until the end of the season.

This - he's still looking short of confidence up front, though he did take on his man a few times and actually got a few good crosses in (one first half early that RvP almost reached was surprisingly whipped in) and liked up nicely at times.. Still he can do better in attack and lost the ball on a few dribbles when he shouldn't have.

Defensively he's been VERY sound surprising considering how he looked in Fergie's last 2 years any time h had to play at RB.

 

[Rossa]

We also posed no threat down the right, again.

True, but Schlupp also worked his arse off to double up on Valencia every time he got close to an attacking area. He has to carry the entire attack down that side. On the other flank, Shaw and Januzaj had a much better working relationship as Januzaj played more as an out and out winger.

 

[Kag]

His defending and positioning has improved quite considerably. Well done to him for that. Going forward, however, he's worse than ever. He gets so much time and space and produces so, so little.

 

[Pat_Mustard]

His defending and positioning has improved quite considerably. Well done to him for that. Going forward, however, he's worse than ever. He gets so much time and space and produces so, so little.

Sums it up really. He's done a respectable job converting to right back in many ways but he's just so limited on the ball. He's terrible at passing it infield, partly due to his inability to use his left foot. Ivanovic's pass to Hazard for Chelsea's equaliser showed the value of having a full back who is capable of some level of variety in his passing game. That said, he's done a good enough job defensively to keep him around.

 

[Borys]

Not a biggest fan but I'm okay with him as long as he doesn't play as a winger. There will be games when his power and speed will not be enough but I have to admit he is improving his positioning.

 

[Devil may care]

This - he's still looking short of confidence up front, though he did take on his man a few times and actually got a few good crosses in (one first half early that RvP almost reached was surprisingly whipped in) and liked up nicely at times.. Still he can do better in attack and lost the ball on a few dribbles when he shouldn't have.

Defensively he's been VERY sound surprising considering how he looked in Fergie's last 2 years any time h had to play at RB.

It looks like he has worked hard on his defensive positioning and it is really starting to show. I imagine in the summer we'll be buying a RB who can defend and offer a lot more in attack, but Valencia has no doubt cemented the squad spot ahead of Rafael.

 

[bugmat]

True, but Schlupp also worked his arse off to double up on Valencia every time he got close to an attacking area. He has to carry the entire attack down that side. On the other flank, Shaw and Januzaj had a much better working relationship as Januzaj played more as an out and out winger.

This - I was trying to recall who was supposed to be in tandem with AV when he was playing RB and couldn't remember... RvP?? Our right side has suffered for Rafael's fall from grace in the starting line-up. Him and AV were a very strong combination 2-3 years ago.

 

[marjen]

Sums it up really. He's done a respectable job converting to right back in many ways but he's just so limited on the ball. He's terrible at passing it infield, partly due to his inability to use his left foot. Ivanovic's pass to Hazard for Chelsea's equaliser showed the value of having a full back who is capable of some level of variety in his passing game. That said, he's done a good enough job defensively to keep him around.

The annoying thing he's an assured passer and has got it in his locker. Watch his outside of the boot, infield pass into the path of a turning RvP who should have done better today. Might be the moment when RvP played in Falcao in the first half and the latter almost managed to work space for a shot.

 

[marlowe78]

It may not seem like he's doing much, but taking him off and watching the opposition suddenly get runs down our right side tells a lot.

Having said that, his offensive delivery is still poor and really holding us back.

 

[Randall Flagg]

I thnk he is a better right back then Rafael


I will run away now

 

[Striker10]

We dominate that much of the ball he's not been tested that much defensively. Would prefer Rafael offensively but Valencia wasn't bad last game. Needs to keep being positive.

 

[Roman Bellic]

I thnk he is a better right back then Rafael


I will run away now

me too

 

[Silent_Running]

I thnk he is a better right back then Rafael


I will run away now

OMG randall stop saying things I agree with, this is getting silly now.

 

[RedSky]

OMG randall stop saying things I agree with, this is getting silly now.

You and Randall disgust me.

 

[Silent_Running]

You and Randall disgust me.

Are you still upset about Cuadrado?

 

[Randall Flagg]

OMG randall stop saying things I agree with, this is getting silly now.

Let's bee friends

 

[RedSky]

Are you still upset about Cuadrado?

I am, but you disgust me.

 

[ottosec]

He does the job whenever he plays, but we need somebody better in the summer.

 

[beergod]

I wish we had a healthy RB so we could use Valencia as the right sided CM in the diamond instead of Fellaini.

 

[Pexbo]

I wish we had a healthy RB so we could use Valencia as the right sided CM in the diamond instead of Fellaini.

I wish we had a better right back and centrebacks so we could play Herrera and Di Maria ahead of Blind or Carrick and never use Valencia ever again.

 

[LeftyBlaster]

He does the job whenever he plays, but we need somebody better in the summer.

Barely. And that's not the standard United needs.

 

[Zoo]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[DWelbz19]

Who were the other candidates?

 

[Raw]

Who were the other candidates?

Blind and Rojo

I would have given it to Rojo to be honest.

 

[DWelbz19]

Blind and Rojo

I would have given it to Rojo to be honest.

Yeah, same. Bit strange.

 

[mufcwarm92]

It's a surprise, but he's been decent.

I'd have voted for Blind.

 

[LR7]

I don't have the same aversion to Valencia as some on here, but Rojo was brilliant and deserved it more imo.

 

[Rado_N]

He's done ok defensively but he still offers next to nothing going forward, which for a winger/wing back whatever you want to call him isn't good enough.

 

[Señor]

He's not been terrible but he hardly warrants player of the month. Who votes for this stuff? Surprised he even made the top 3, let alone win the thing.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

Good on him.

 

[bugmat]

It's a surprise, but he's been decent.

I'd have voted for Blind.

I quite like him - two things ppl might be ignoring

1. i don't think either Blind or Rojo have actually played all january games so that may hae swung it
2. if they did i'd agree AV shouldnt have won..

 

[ZDwyr]

Well done to him. Think Rojo was a little better though.

 

[Devil may care]

Kinda sums up how poorly we have been playing, I mean Valencia has been decent but nothing much more than that as he doesn't add anything to the attack.

 

[buckooo1978]

well done Antonio - hopefully he puts in a good performance tomorrow

think Rojo has been pretty flawless in the last 3 games though