Valencia: Our Mindset Won't Change

An unfamiliar opponent and venue await Manchester United on Friday night but Antonio Valencia insists the team's mentality at Cambridge United will be no different.

The Reds visit Abbey Stadium for only the second time ever to take on the League Two outfit, with a place in the FA Cup fifth round at stake.

The 8,000-capacity ground is a world away from Old Trafford but Valencia says that won't affect United's players, who will be solely focused on the job at hand.

"For a footballer, the setting doesn't matter," the Ecuadorian told MUTV. "You just want to go out there and do your best, and that will be our mentality at Cambridge. It doesn't matter if the stadium is impressive or not; we have a job to do and we'll take it seriously. Our mindset has to be the same as usual. We are Manchester United and we have to go to win – that's it.

"It'll be treated just like any other game in the Premier League. We train hard and then make sure we get the rest in so that we're ready. The level that the opposition play at doesn't affect our preparation."

Valencia's versatility, pace and stamina have been useful tools to the Reds this season. He's played as a traditional winger, at right-back and recently as a wing-back in a 3-5-2 formation, revealing his concentration has improved in the more defensive positions.

"I enjoy the attacking side of the wing-back role," he added. "I like driving forward as I always have a lot of options in front of me and I enjoy the fact that it's hard work, too!"