Darren Fletcher backs Antonio Valencia’s future at Old Trafford
Manchester United central midfielder Darren Fletcher has expressed his faith in team-mate Antonio Valencia, claiming that the player still has a big future at the club despite undergoing an operation on his ankle. Valencia was victim of a horrific accident
while playing against Glasgow Rangers in the Champions league, when he twisted his ankle in a bad way. The player was taken off the field on a stretcher and rushed to a hospital immediately to find out the extent of his injury.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has already stated that he doesn’t expect Valencia to be available for selection for the entire season and has compared it to the injury that Alan Smith went through but survived while playing for Liverpool in 2006. Following that
injury, Smith never seemed like the player he was. The British media couldn’t telecast of what actually happened to Valencia owing to the graphic content of the injury and seeing him stretched off the field with an oxygen mask, one can only imagine if Valencia
would ever return to his form and fitness.
However team mate Darren Fletcher still has rested his faith in Valencia, claiming that he would return stronger than ever. While talking to the media, Fletcher claimed that the injury looked really bad but hoped that scans did not show what was originally
feared.
''After arriving from Wigan he had a great first season and was looking to push on this year. That is why the injury is a real blow. He has only just got back from the injury he suffered at the end of last season too. He is a strong character and a good
lad. He has real determination and works hard. He will be back I am sure. He will have a long future at Manchester United,'' claimed Scotland’s national team captain.
Apart from the injury, manager Sir Alex Ferguson is also presented with a major selection dilemma. United currently have only three recognized midfielders in the form of Gabriel Obertan, Nani and Ryan Giggs. Nani is young and extremely talented and would
be the obvious choice for most matches, but Obertan is largely untested and Ryan Giggs, who would be turning 37 in two months time, cannot feature in all the matches. The season has only recently started to heat up, starting with the clash against Liverpool
on Saturday. United would be part of three competitions till December, making three to four matches per two weeks.
Forwards Park Ji-Sung and Javier Hernandez can also feature on the wings but with no natural flank player, United would be resting too much on the shaky legs of Nani. United are already 4 points behind in the premier league from defending Champions Chelsea
and would need a tactical change to keep firm in the race. United would also be extremely disappointed with their performance in Europe, when Ferguson employed 10 changes to what is considered his “best XI”. The ten changes had 8 full internationals and had
the likes of Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Fletcher amongst the ranks. United were held to a goal-less draw against Fergie’s former club, Glasgow Rangers.
Fletcher claimed that he believes that there weren’t too many changes and owing to the sheer quantity of players in the squad, Fletcher believed everyone must get a chance. However, he pointed out that for players who have not been featuring regularly, lack
the much needed match form and fitness is the biggest problem. Fletcher highlighted that the training has always been intense and everyone who has made it to the squad is good enough to feature in a match. Fletcher agreed to the changes made by the manager
and stated that the squad did have the quality, strength and charisma needed to win the match.
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