Valencia Enjoying Right-back Role

Manchester United's Antonio Valencia is happy having made the right-back berth his own during the 2014/15 campaign.

Although he was signed as a winger, the Ecuadorian has taken on a new role on a regular basis this season, a position in which he is preferred by manager Louis van Gaal. In his typically understated style, Valencia has adapted seamlessly to his new responsibilities and is relishing the opportunities that came with it.

"I quite enjoy it, I’m happy there,” Antonio told MUTV. "It works well and I’ve played a lot there this season. It’s been a hard position to learn, but the key is to keep your concentration for the entire 90 minutes. You’ve really got to be on the ball for all that time."

"When I go forward to overlap, I’ve always got to be conscious about getting back and it’s a lot more dangerous," he added. "If you do leave room for people, they can hurt you. This is different to the position I’m used to playing in, where you can be less cautious when attacking."

Concentration is a keyword for the entire squad, according to the Reds' no.25, who says it's a priority for United to forget last weekend’s frustrating defeat at Chelsea and focus on an important clash against Everton on Sunday.

"When you play so well and lose a game like that it hurts even more," Antonio said. "The Everton game means we can put the defeat behind us and concentrate on this weekend."