Reds Wingers Get Rave Reviews

Antonio Valencia and Adnan Januzaj have caught the eye of one of United’s most exciting and popular former wingers, Willie Morgan.

Morgan played 296 times for United between 1968-75, earning his place among an historic elite group of players to shine on Old Trafford's touchlines. He is also an admirer of wingers in their purest form: attack-minded, playing wide, and getting crosses in to service the strikers.

The former Reds no.7 has watched with interest in 2013/14 as Valencia has rediscovered his form on the right and Januzaj has impressed on the opposite flank as a young, exciting new addition to the team.

Januzaj has just been named United Player of the Month for October, while Valencia, who swapped the no.7 shirt for his former no.25 jersey, looks much more like the powerful, pacy and positive force that earned a double Player of the Year trophy haul in 2011/12.

“I would play Valencia every game,” says Morgan, whose book On The Wing: My Autobiography, is out now. “He gives you 100 per cent, you know what you’re going to get from him. He will do the same job for you week in, week out. He’s not a flair player but the job he does is superb. He gives you width, he helps out in defence, he goes forward and he tries to go to the byline and get crosses in.”

Januzaj is a different type of player; predominantly stationed out on the left in his nine appearances for the Reds this season, he has the ability to play on either flank or, as his future appears to hold, as a playmaking no.10. For the time being, he has impressed Morgan on the left wing.

“The young lad who has just come in has the chance to be a great player,” he said. “Time will tell. It’s what he does and how he does it – he reminds me of the old, great wingers. He’s wonderful and has the chance to go ahead and be a great, great player. So I would like to see him play on the left and give us that width. Valencia stays wide and gives you width and Januzaj does the same.”

Wingers represent an important part of the essence of United – out-and-out attacking or counter-attacking play – a position that boasts a rich history, from Billy Meredith to Charlie Mitten, George Best to Ryan Giggs. “Wingers create space, they create a big pitch,” explains Morgan. “The position hasn’t changed, but you don’t get kicked as much any more. George [Best] and I would have loved to play today – we would never have been kicked, it would have been fantastic!

“My game was going to the line and creating chances and goals for other people. I’d score a few, but my main job was to stay wide and go on the outside, beat a man and try to get crosses in. That’s the job of any true winger. That’s why I like the young lad Januzaj, he’s very good.”