Yeah, he never really seems to surprise the opponent, one of the most predictable pro players out there.
25
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 43
- Clean sheets
- 19
- Goals
- 1
- Assists
- 6
- Yellow cards
- 7
-
In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
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I was thinking exactly the same.
Made an assist for the third one too. And this is against Chile!
From what I've seen over the years he doesn't play as a winger for them - more like a right sided attacker. He cuts inside and occupies central spaces, shoots more often (well, he just shoots, which he didn't do for us for a few seasons, I think).
Plus the confidence and responsibility, obviously. With us he is a support player - always was and always will be. With his national team he was their superstar for years (there are a few talented players there now, but he still is the brightest one), playing for Manchester United and all. It elevates his game massively
Nice to see him cross it in to the bottom corner.
Yes that hit the nail on the head.
Interestingly, while most international players get criticized for not replicating their club form for their national team, Valencia's one of those who has been the opposite. He always performed for Ecuador even when playing poorly at United.
Further to this, apparently he's just recently separated from his wife, something which has been reported in Ecuadorian media outlets. Somehow as a result he's playing the best football he has in years.
http://www.fullmatchesandshows.com/2016/10/06/ecuador-vs-chile-highlights/
Highlights of the game here
Highlights of the game here
1st half: Feck me, look at the amount of times he's having touches in the middle of the park, drifting around, linking up play and yet still have those trademark surging right wing runs. We really should vary the play so that he can come inside more.
2nd half: Feck me, look at all that space and insane acceleration and pace he has. Oh and whytf doesn't he have a left foot? How many chances/potential opportunities did he let go due not be able to vary his game because of said missing left foot. Sigh.
What an athlete and professional. All that mental and physical dedication, surely there's some space for a bit of left foot training?
He's in his 30s, I doubt there's anytime left for that. And I don't see the big issue with his left foot, loads of players are dominant footed in one or an other and never get criticised for using one over the other.
The crazy thing is, whenever he does use his left foot it's perfectly fine.
It's more to do with how predictable it makes him on the ball, position yourself to show him inside and it's half the job done.
Liverpool 0:0 Man Utd
Beast of a man
What. A . Tackle.
Jesus that tackle was impressive.
Crazy that after all these years, I am still impressed at his pace and power.
Crazy that after all these years, I am still impressed at his pace and power.
Second best for me tonight.
That tackle 
He was so fecking good tonight.
That tackle will go up there with Heinze's as far as legendary tackles in front of the kop. Amazing stuff.
Probably the second best player on the pitch after Herrera in my opinion. Defended really well and managed to get forward every now and again without losing his discipline.
He is a top top RB. Gets forward well and is very good defensively too.
No need at all for a new RB if he plays like this.
I said it in the De Gea thread and I'll say it here; where's the GIF?
That was a fantastic challenge.
That was a fantastic challenge.
Yeah, I thought Firmino was in. Awesome tackle.
Incase anyone didn't notice it was his shocking positioning that led to the chance. But it was an absolutely fantastic recovery.
An absolutely heroic tackle there at the end. I'd already resigned myself to it being a goal before Tony saved the day.
Was very good in general too.
Was very good in general too.
Clever positioning from firmino more tbh.
He sat between Valencia and Bailly, he couldn't really tuck in too much as the right side was wide open.
You're probably right, but what do you actually get out of posting negative shit in here? It's really tedious.
Still would question his position but his pace off the mark is incredible
?? Don't see what was negative its just what did happen, actually think he has improved positionally and his raw power and pace is a huge asset.
The kind of tackle that puts tears in my eyes. Well done.
Fair enough.
Managers aren't stupid.
He's a solid dependable RB .
My first choice.They are very few RB's in this league that I'd want ahead of him.
He's a solid dependable RB .
My first choice.They are very few RB's in this league that I'd want ahead of him.
That tackle on Firmino was absolutely fantastic, he's had to catch up with him first because the lesbian was metres ahead of him still managed to pull out a beauty. Very good performance overall I thought.
Must say Tony is slowly becoming one of my favorite players. The most solid player in the world. I am never anxious when he is near the ball.
That tackle sealed the deal for MOTM for me, he, Herrera and DDG were tied at that point
Had a very good game and saved the day with that tackle on Firmino.
That tackle was amazing but he also closed the gapto Firminho within no time, he's still quick as feck.
That tackle was immense
Don't think he has lost pace. I talked to a guy who still trains as an athlete as well as plays football; some time ago he dislocated his shoulder and some other injury whilst running at full pelt. After that, he has noticed that when carrying the ball he is hesitant at running full out, whereas tracking the ball he has lost no pace, and he is closer to 40. I'm thinking the same might have happened with Valencia as I've never seen him outpaced defensively, not once, but he has become more reluctant to take on players, slowly recovering though. That tackle was immense, but he also had some great surging runs forward.
Was quality again today...
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