Valencia: I Will Be Back Stronger

Manchester United right-back Antonio Valencia has vowed to “come back stronger” from the fractured arm that forced him to undergo surgery on Saturday.

The Ecuadorian suffered the unfortunate injury during Wednesday’s EFL Cup victory over Manchester City at Old Trafford and he duly missed the Premier League stalemate against Burnley on Saturday, when Italy international Matteo Darmian inherited his place in the starting XI.

Valencia’s injury is a particular blow following his excellent start to the season under new manager Jose Mourinho, but the 31-year-old has admirably retained a positive attitude amid the setback.

Using his personal Instagram account on Sunday night, Antonio posted a video to his 750,000 followers with a message of assurance. “Now thinking only in recovery,” he said. “I want to come back soon and help my team. I’ll come back stronger and always optimistic.”

This is not the first time that Valencia has had to fight back from a broken bone in his eight-season career with the Reds. The former Wigan Athletic hero famously suffered a fractured ankle and significant ligament damage during a Champions League encounter against Rangers in September 2010, but miraculously recovered to make his return in March before starting the Champions League final in May.

The club is yet to officially confirm how long Valencia will be unavailable for.