[Rai7]

Some people don't seem to realize that Lukaku (usually), Rashford, and anyone else doesn't really make good runs inside the box. They just stick to a defender next to them and hope to outjump or outrun them instead of running towards the near post/far post. Valencia made a few dangerous crosses today and maybe one bad one if I recall correctly. Wasn't great today, but hardly the problem for our team this game.

 

[Paul_Scholes18]

I did think he was one of the few that played well today. Probably our best player after Rashford today.

 

[Obiorahking_]

Completely isolated on the right hand side and did much better than his last outing, though thats not saying much. Crossing improved from last game but as another poster said the timing isn't quite there yet.

 

[Devil may care]

Offered good widfe penetration but lacked a final ball.

 

[Sigma]

https://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/r...l-owen-ever-seen-antonio-valencia-play-136682

You really have to question if Michael Owen has ever seen Antonio Valencia play

Antonio Valencia first played right back for United in 2011.

Since then, he has lined out at full back over 100 times for the club. He's not deputising there. That's where he plays.

This is the fourth season in-a-row now where he's been the Manchester United right back. Not filling in for injury or a stop-gap until they get to the transfer market, he's just the number one choice in that position.

United have signed the Italian first choice full back in the time since Valencia became established in that role but, funnily enough, Antonio Valencia is still the club's right back. Matteo Darmian has actually played more games on the left and at centre back than he has in his preferred right back slot. Why? Because Antonio Valencia is better.

Who else is there really out there for Jose Mourinho to bring in? Whatever you think of the United manager, he bloody well knows defenders and, in the Ecuador native, he has pure speed, unbreakable strength, a relentless engine and an experienced player who knows how to play where he's playing.

"I think Antonio Valencia is a top player," Owen, who was brought to Old Trafford during the same window as Valencia, said about his old team mate.

"But he is playing out of position and against a top team, perhaps even he could be found out. I think that's a worry there."

There are a number of points to be made here, there generally is after Michael Owen fumbles the mic.

Antonio Valencia had a couple of decent seasons further up the pitch but his position now isn't stopping him from attacking. He still gets into those positions, he's still crucial for United on the right.

He's not really doing anything when he joins in with the attacks that suggests he needs to be there all the time. Wide players are different nowadays. They need to be able to cut inside, they need to be able to unlock defences with a pass, Valencia still fits the old-style Fergie winger and he's still looking to power past players and drill the ball into the box. He can still do that but he can do it because he has Mata there with him.

What's the actual suggestion here rather than just throwing your hands into the air and saying he's playing out of position? If you don't think Valencia should be where he is, you're obviously planning a rejig of the team. If you really think Valencia needs to play further forward, the solution is really to bring Darmian into the team in place of Mata or Mkhitaryan and that's a grim idea.

This is just one of those lines that people throw out there now without any real thought behind its consequences because the most valid argument - and the only real point which needs to be made - is the fact that Valencia is a brilliant right back.

He's a better right back than he ever was a right winger. He's got everything you need to play in that position and when you look at it relatively - in his case, the entire world - who is really that much better than him?

City just spent 50 million on Kyle Walker.

 

[Amar__]

What a hit!

 

[sizzling sausages]

That was a proper thunderbastard of a shot!

 

[Pexbo]

Shinned it

 

[Raees]

Take a bow son!

 

[van der star]

He has scored some crackers for us. I wonder why he doesn't try more often.

 

[Arka_BleedingRed]

And then, he goes and does this! What a Worldie, Take a bow!

 

[IrishRedDevil]

Sensational strike.

Who needs to cross when you can strike a ball like that

 

[ants7]

Considering the shift he puts in every game, he deserved this. Happy for him.

 

[Snowjoe]

He's hit that so well, it's not even that far from the keeper but he was never getting there

 

[horsechoker]

thundercnut of a strike

 

[Massive Spanner]

He has scored some crackers for us. I wonder why he doesn't try more often.

I can only think of 2, including that.

What a hit though.

 

[Obiorahking_]

Goal aside, I love those outside of the boot passes he has been trying. One of them led to a nice little counter attack that Rashford bottled up.

 

[Treble]

Goal of the season.

 

[LuisNaniencia]

Hopefully gets him going this season.

 

[el3mel]

What a strike and what a goal! but other than that don't think he did anything more than the last games. Never mind I'll forgive him for such a goal.

 

[LuisNaniencia]

What a strike and what a goal! but other than that don't think he did anything more than the last games. Never mind I'll forgive him for such a goal.

That goal alone won him MOTM.

 

[el3mel]

That goal alone won him MOTM.

Well tbh that was his best goal ever with out shirt. Don't remember scoring anything like this before.

 

[Devil may care]

Cracking strike and solid performance.

 

[lawliet354]

Contender for goal of the season for sure, what a strike

 

[Globule]

Battle of the full backs - which one scored the best goal: Valencia v Everton, Rafael v QPR or Evra v Bayern.

I think I'm going to go and watch them all again

 

[Sigma]

Well tbh that was his best goal ever with out shirt. Don't remember scoring anything like this before.

Not volleys, but still brilliant goals.

 

[el3mel]

Not volleys, but still brilliant goals.

Strangely enough I didn't remember both these goals especially the second one.

The firs goal is brilliant, though, but I'll still consider his goal today his best with our shirt overall.

 

[Jaybomb]

What a goal

 

[Jazz]

Great goal. Happy for him. Wish he could do that more often

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

It's been an eventful start, discovering his left foot and his shooting ability. Think in 10 years time when he hits his prime he'll be the complete package.

 

[clarkydaz]

awful cross

 

[ti vu]

I was shocked when he scored. I meant I was expecting another rush to the byline and shin killing.

 

[worcesterred]

He doesn't score many but when he does they seem to complete thunderbastards

 

[Grunge]

Stunning volley aside, yet another solid, no-nonsense performance from our number 1 RB. If he and Young can stay healthy we have that spot covered and even give Darmian the odd game.

 

[Ban]

One guy in the matchday thread actually said his goal was a failed cross.

Yes, it happened.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

His goal will definitely be up there as a contender for goal of the season. Absolute rocket, and it's the reason why he should shoot more. Used to score the odd rockets for Wigan and Ecuador.

 

[Mike09]

Strangely enough I didn't remember both these goals especially the second one.

The firs goal is brilliant, though, but I'll still consider his goal today his best with our shirt overall.

I'm surprised though because the 1st goal was very well known.

 

[Mike09]

That goal alone won him MOTM.

An early first lead goal. It was an important one, take away our pressure earlier, no need to worry with bus parking as well. That goal was my MOTM!!

 

[luke511]

Here's a question, if Valencia had been playing as RB since the day he joined us, would he have grown into, and be now widely regarded as, a world class full back?

 

[el3mel]

I'm surprised though because the 1st goal was very well known.

I remembered it once I saw it. Didn't know how I forgot it tbh. The second one not the same case, though.