Having picked up 5 points from the last 3 league games, Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United remain unbeaten since the turn of the year and their recent run of results has now taken them close to a place in the top-4 in the Premier League.
The manager will be relatively pleased with the way his team have performed recently but he is looking to add a few players to the squad in the summer, to help them compete with the best in the upcoming campaign.
This has seen him linked with a number of star players for a few positions in the team but one player who might not be leaving the club anytime soon is full-back Antonio Valencia.
The Ecuador international joined Manchester United back in 2009 as a winger and has ever since cemented a place in the first team, making more than 190 appearances of the Red Devils to date.
However, in his time at the Old Trafford, the 31-year old has transformed into a full-back who prefers to play on the right side of the defense and has not so long ago revealed that he is his first choice right back for the rest of the season.
Valencia has been in sublime form this season, helping the side at both ends of the field and Mourinho was so happy with his performance that he recently triggered a clause in his contract to keep him at the club till 2018.
At 31, Valencia is not going to stay at the club forever but in a recent interview with the Daily Mail, he revealed that he is ready to stay at Old Trafford till the end of his career.
“Mourinho has shown faith in me to stay here so I’m delighted. I don’t want to say I am 100 per cent a right back,” Valencia told the Daily Mail.
“I still feel like a right-sided attacking player but I guess I am getting there,” he added.
Speaking about playing as a full-back, Valencia revealed that it was a harder job than that of a winger and that it was important that he never lost his concentration.
Valencia said. “It’s quite tough because you need to focus even more because you’re playing closer to your own goal. One misplaced pass can result in you conceding a goal.
“I feel I’ve improved in that area but when I’m on the attack it’s like I’m in my position. But I am in the team and feel like I have the manager’s backing and his trust,” he added.
He signed off by explaining that he and his family are happy in Manchester and that he has not real plans of quitting the club anytime soon.
“I have a new contract and I love the club, the city and my family like living here in Manchester. I would like to stay here as long as I can, five even six years, more maybe!,” Valencia added.
It will come as a huge boost for Manchester United who have been looking to spend big yet again in the summer.
Do you think Valencia will the first choice for Jose Mourinho in the next season also?