Antonio Valencia

[JohnDoe]

One of the most overrated players out there. I really hope the mancs get him.

[Nicey]

Valencia

Seeing that it looks like he has signed for the Mancs for 16 Million ... how good is he actually and what position does he mainly play in ? will he be slotting in were tevez was for them on the right ... I have seen him play but have always thought .. yeah decent solid player .. perhaps not a definite starting 11 in a top team

[JohnDoe]

He's very very average. I'd be delighted if the mancs sign him. He's scored 3 goals in 34 games last season. At best, he'll be a solid performer who'll whip in crosses, but doesn't have the primacy to step up and become a real goalscoring threat, which is what they need.

[dww]

I've merged this with the old thread from the Off Field Speculation as it a/ looks unlikely we are in for him and b/ a lot of opinions on him will already be here (including mine IIRC).

[red g]

chuffed to pieces with this business fromt he mancs. its like trading a Rols Royce for a volvo.

[dww]

chuffed to pieces with this business fromt he mancs. its like trading a Rols Royce for a volvo.

While on a player for player basis it is a downgrade I think it is wrong to view the business done by United this summer in that way. Even if they had kept Ronaldo they had a lot to do in terms of replacing aging players and becoming less reliant on one player (Ronaldo). It is more than possible in my opinion that after a number of transfers have gone through they will have a better balanced and more effective team/squad than last year even if they aren't likely to be as good as the season before when I thought they were exceptional.

Valencia for me offers a lot of things that they would be looking for - exceptional acceleration on the break, penetrative running, neat passing and decent cross. He isn't the overall answer but I think he could be part of a set of transfers that is. They had some potential answers in the squad - Rooney is capable of a lot more and they have some young players they have bought in who might step up.

[Parm]

While on a player for player basis it is a downgrade I think it is wrong to view the business done by United this summer in that way. Even if they had kept Ronaldo they had a lot to do in terms of replacing aging players and becoming less reliant on one player (Ronaldo). It is more than possible in my opinion that after a number of transfers have gone through they will have a better balanced and more effective team/squad than last year even if they aren't likely to be as good as the season before when I thought they were exceptional.

Valencia for me offers a lot of things that they would be looking for - exceptional acceleration on the break, penetrative running, neat passing and decent cross. He isn't the overall answer but I think he could be part of a set of transfers that is. They had some potential answers in the squad - Rooney is capable of a lot more and they have some young players they have bought in who might step up.

I would say upfront and central midfield are their more pressing areas to reshape.

[BobTheCharmer]

I would say upfront and central midfield are their more pressing areas to reshape.

Do they need a new central midfield? they've just won 3 titles with the existing one.

[dww]

I would say upfront and central midfield are their more pressing areas to reshape.

Do they need a new central midfield? they've just won 3 titles with the existing one.

I think that the problem is thought that that midfield was shielded from being put under too much pressure by their attack which terrified half the teams they played. Loosing Tevez and Ronaldo and the fact that Giggs and Scholes are getting on a bit does mean that different demands are likely to be made of the CM area. Also Anderson has regressed since his early form for United.

I still think though that Fergie will do what he has always done which is get the attack right first and then worry about the rest of the team later on. It's been very successful for him until now but I think he is facing one of the bigger challenges he has had of late and is without a decent number 2.

[BobTheCharmer]

I think that the problem is thought that that midfield was shielded from being put under too much pressure by their attack which terrified half the teams they played. Loosing Tevez and Ronaldo and the fact that Giggs and Scholes are getting on a bit does mean that different demands are likely to be made of the CM area. Also Anderson has regressed since his early form for United.

I still think though that Fergie will do what he has always done which is get the attack right first and then worry about the rest of the team later on. It's been very successful for him until now but I think he is facing one of the bigger challenges he has had of late and is without a decent number 2.

I think the fact they will have £80m burning a hole in their pocket means they'll be able to improve several areas of the team and they may benefit inj the long term. A bit like us their game has become reliant on one player ie ronaldo and gerrard for us. Injuries permitting I think Rooney is in for a monster season for club & country. He's more than capabke of stepping up to the plate.

I'm hope I'm wrong but if you finish above them you're champions.

[Shaggy]

He's signed for the Mancs for around £20m!

[Joe King]

£20m?!

[Exiled_red]

He's signed for the Mancs for around £20m!

Wigan must be made up!

[Shaggy]

[Pablo]

Valencia has played 34 times for Ecuador, scoring four goals.