The Antonio Valencia Thread

[Cappy]

My only concern is his goal return. What we need to do first and foremost is sign a player (or players) that will make up for the loss of Ronaldo and Tevez's goals. We've lost 2 strikers and that is going to hit us hard unless we sign a goal scoring replacement.

Not just that, but we can't rely on anyone in the midfield for more than a couple goals as well. Not trying to hijack the thread, but this needs some addressing, IMO.

[VaVa]

I'm happy with this. He's an exciting player and hopefully he can handle the pressure and become a star here. Him and a 25goal a season striker and I'll be confident come august. He has been given the chance to play for Man Utd..... lets hope he takes it!

[daveskimufc]

i think being able to be "free" at united and atacking will let his potential shine. at wigan he is a big fish in a small pond but here he is just another star. this should relieve SOME pressure (yes, we all know that playing for united brings its own pressure) and he should get a lot more goals and more assists.

hope he will be a great singing.....and i think, given time he will become a good, reliable number 7

i do think that we paid over the odds though

[Mr United]

From previous postings reproduced here, Fergie would have some work to do but a good platform to work from nonetheless, on top of his pace, skills and industry:

Born: 04/08/1985; Lago Agrio, Ecuador

Previous Clubs: El Nacional, Villarreal, Wigan Athletic

International caps: 34 appearances, 4 goals [4/34]

Wigan Athletic record: 83 appearances, 7 goals [7/83]

------------------------Valencia-----Ronaldo
Cross completion----------33%---------16%
Tackles made-------------120----------18
Dribble success-----------44%---------30%

I don't think he can reach anywhere near Ronaldo's standard but certainly looks good for a starter. How far he can develop still and whether he will really take off under Fergie remains to be seen.

it's a great time for Valencia to signed for ManUtd...Looking at the stat he greatly reduce the missing sulky slave star...plus his contract worth 55,000 a-week rather than 160,000 a-week......hopefully he will bring more cheer this season as we battle up to retain our epl title without the modern slave.....

And damn hopefully ronaldo realises that he have made a false decision by accepting real madrid...but i dont want us to resign him as a player but it could be consider if he return as a coach..

[RN10]

Sweet!

[RDJ]

^^ He kinda looks like Nani

Valencia wasn't my ideal choice and I do think we've overpaid for him. He was a big fish in a small pond in Wigan. It would be interesting to see if he can handle the pressures of playing for a big club. I hope he does well and justify his transfer fee. It is refreshing to see someone snub R.Madrid to play for us. Welcome Antonio.

[Cappy]

...but i dont want us to resign him as a player but it could be consider if he return as a coach..

Umm, no.

No, No, No, No, No, No.

Just no.

Not in a million years.

I have been one of the biggest Ronnie supporters and could even stomach, maybe, quite possibly him returning though it ain't ever going to happen.

But as a coach? Please no.

No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

[United_OG]

When Ronaldo was with us, we never needed an out and out goal scorer. I remember many people on here always wanting us to have that extra striker, the fox in the box so to speak. A guy like huntelaar but instead we purchased the likes of tevez and then after berbatov because a forward man without any dynamic skill who is nothing more than a good player but very good finisher was not was needed at the time. Especially with the team being built around ronaldo. He was our goal scorer, the man to get past players, free up space for others with his style of play so there was never a need for that player. When people kept saying the huntelaar thing, i was never one for it. Same with berbatov but that was for different reasons, i never thought tevez needed to be replaced.

Anyway point is, with ronaldo there was never a need for an out and out goalscorer who does not do anything else because it would have effected our style of play and the fluidity of it which helped us be so successful the last 3 seasons. The trophy cabinet is the best and most perfect example i could use because with ronaldo and no box player, we have been so successful.

HOWEVER, without ronaldo, i think fergie will possibly feel the need for a player who he thinks can bag him 20 premiership goals a season, especially as he knows there is nobody there to replace ronaldo. So even though i've never been for the hunterlaar type, a player of his style would possibly be needed now. Our tactics will be slightly different too.

This purchase imo pretty much sums that up. I think ferguson has purchased valencia more for his service than his goals and i think he is just a peice of the jigsaw rather than a sole replacement for ronaldo. With ronaldo, we are a completely different team. Now without him, the team will have to play different, and strikers will actually have to be a threat. And since there is no replacement in the world for ronaldo, strikers will need people who are willing to cross the ball in and keep attempting too to give strikers service. This is where this purchase somes from imo.

IF we get a striker, im sure it'll be someone who fergie thinks will be capable of scoring many goals per season. Benzema is name being touted and he would be my first choice too, but thats more on potential rather than being a proven goal scorer or anything. Hunterlaar would be a guy, given service would possibly score 20 goals a season if given service. I am not a big fan of his to be honest, but if he could adjust to the premiership and IF as i suspect, united could be looking to create more for strikers next season; which would mean 2 wide men looking to have more assists than goals...he could be a success. Also when i say i think we'll look for more conventional wide men, it does not mean they cannot score goals. At united with the players we have and the system we play, our wingers should always be capable of scoring 10 goals and that does not change next season either, i just think we'll be a more conventional 4-4-2 possibly. And with berbatov/rooney in the side, there will always be chances created through the middle too. I do wonder what will happen though if we buy another striker, does that mean rooney gets pushed to the left? Does fergie see that as rooneys new position? Or does berbatov get dropped because i cannot see a player of benzemas potential being left out IF we ever got him. I will believe that transfer the day i see it though but regardless, there are alot of ifs and buts about this post...but the point im making is that i think with this signing, fergie is going for someone who will provide, or atleast try to provide for the strikers with ronaldo no longer being the main man.

We'll see how he gets on for us! Good luck!

pz!

[TheManc]

[Will80]

Glad to have him at the club, hopefully for many successful seasons both for him and the Manchester United!

[RedForceRising]

Some nice posts in this thread.

I think most of us have the same view on Valencia.
He is a good signing, but hardly spectecular.

He might surprise us though.

My take on it, is that while he hasn't impressed me as much as our other rumoured targets like Ribery or Benzema, he is a good player and has all the attributes a winger would need in order to be successful at Old Trafford.

He's pacey, is a good dribbler, good crosser, strong, good ball control, works hard for the team.

I think he'll help give the team a more blanced shape, which will hopefully see Rooney more in the centre where he can blossom.

At 23, I think there's a lot more improvement to be expected from Valencia, but I wouldn't be surprised if we see him score more goals than at Wigan.

I would also lik to see how he performs as an attacking midfielder, because that is an area we could use more 'directness' in.

He'll score more goals than Michael Carrick next season. Shouldn't be too difficult to do.

I think Fergie will give him the number 14 jersey.

The 7 will be kept for Benzema.

[abojodeh]

14 is Tosic's

[RedForceRising]

14 is Tosic's

He's hardly a regular. I don't think Fergie or Tosic would mind giving it to Valencia.

[Will80]

He's hardly a regular. I don't think Fergie or Tosic would mind giving it to Valencia.

Nor would considering Valencia will be a starter and Tosic has only been at the club for 6 months, I doubt he is too attached to the number.

[Because I'm DC]

I can't believe people are even suggesting we don't give him the number 7. Of course he'll get it.

What exactly will he think if we have that shirt free and he plays in the position that is associated with the number and yet we tell him we are waiting for a theoretical player? Don't be stupid, and I wish everyone would calm down with the Benzema hype. Talk about jumping the gun.

[-zuco-]

I can't believe people are even suggesting we don't give him the number 7. Of course he'll get it.

What exactly will he think if we have that shirt free and he plays in the position that is associated with the number and yet we tell him we are waiting for a theoretical player? Don't be stupid, and I wish everyone would calm down with the Benzema hype. Talk about jumping the gun.

Our transfer dealings are not finished yet. We could potentially sign a few more players before the time to register squad numbers comes along.

The number 7 is not always given to right wingers either. It's generally given to players who have that extra spark or added drive, the determination to win a game or lead the team. Bryan Robson wore it in midfield because he was an inspirational captain, Eric Cantona as a centre forward for much the same reason. It's possible that Valencia will be given the number 7, but it's certainly not guaranteed.

[Because I'm DC]

Our transfer dealings are not finished yet. We could potentially sign a few more players before the time to register squad numbers comes along.

The number 7 is not always given to right wingers either. It's generally given to players who have that extra spark or added drive, the determination to win a game or lead the team. Bryan Robson wore it in midfield because he was an inspirational captain, Eric Cantona as a centre forward for much the same reason. It's possible that Valencia will be given the number 7, but it's certainly not guaranteed.

No matter who has worn it in the past it's still just a number at the end of the day, and I can't see Fergie being that tactless and telling Valencia he's not 7 material.

I have no doubt that it'll be either Valencia or someone else from our squad, and I find it incredibly hard to believe we're going to reserve the shirt for a theoretical signing.

[andersons_left_foot]

Our transfer dealings are not finished yet. We could potentially sign a few more players before the time to register squad numbers comes along.

The number 7 is not always given to right wingers either. It's generally given to players who have that extra spark or added drive, the determination to win a game or lead the team. Bryan Robson wore it in midfield because he was an inspirational captain, Eric Cantona as a centre forward for much the same reason. It's possible that Valencia will be given the number 7, but it's certainly not guaranteed.

i also believe the number 7 is seen as a cash cow by the owners and valencia not so much. i wont go into it here ive said my parts in the who will be the next number 7 thread

[Nachito Coronel]

I bet he'd prefer 7 though, although he is now our main shirt-seller and the board won't want people to have to pay for 1 less letter now so I guess its out of the question

who cares what ******* number they wear, its not like wearing the number 7 will automatically give you world class skill.

[aggrounited]

Everyone seems to compare Valencia with Ronaldo.....He wanted to come to Manchester United....plus he has already played in PL so he'll take less time to settle...plus he's a different player and let's just get over Ronaldo and for the goals lookup Ronaldo goalscoring for Sporting...it's only after 3 seasons at United that he started scoring so heavily..he's good player and for 16m we may have payed just that bit much but performances will compensate the only flaw I see him is sometimes he dribbles 2 much, the final pass he should look for rather than going Ronaldo