Manchester United Injury Update: Nani Out of Man City Derby Clash; Antonio Valencia to Return Sooner
Nani Out from Manchester City Clash
Recent reports reveal that Manchester United winger Nani is most likely to miss the derby on Wednesday. The Portuguese International is suffering from a groin injury and will not be available for the upcoming (midweek) game against
Manchester City.
The winger sustained the injury during Manchester United’s 3-0 victory over Bursaspor in the Champions League last week, and had hoped to be fit in time for the Manchester City clash. However, Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed in an
interview that the winger would miss that fixture.
He told reporters, “This is a busy time for us right up until the new year… We have Manchester City on Wednesday and Chelsea and Arsenal in consecutive weeks. Nani won't be fit for Wednesday, but I hope Dimitar Berbatov will
be in to train on Monday.”
Berbatov is down with a virus, while Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs is doubtful for the fixture with a hamstring injury. Sir Alex Ferguson is short on first-team players as he sets to take on his side’s worst opponents.
Antonio Valencia to Return Early
However, there is some good news for Manchester United as Antonio Valencia is set to make his return in February, earlier than expected. The United winger suffered a broken ankle this September but seems to be well on course in
his recovery.
It was in the Champions League’s opening game against Glasgow Rangers that Valencia broke and dislocated his ankle. It was assumed that the winger was out for the rest of the season, but there has been news that he may be training
within a few months.
The 25-year-old winger moved to Manchester City from Wigan Athletic only last summer and had a good season at Old Trafford. He scored seven goals for the club and provided eleven assists, which made him a favourite with the fans
and the manager.
Instead of returning home to Ecuador to visit his family, the dedicated player decided to stay on and undergo exhausting rehabilitation sessions every day. This may be the reason why he is set to return sooner than planned.
A source close to the club revealed, “Valencia’s attitude has really impressed everyone. He could have gone home but he has put his recovery and the club before anything else. He is working extremely hard and believes he could
be playing again as soon as mid-February.”
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