Jose: No Better Right-back Than Valencia

Jose Mourinho has stated there is “no better right-back in football” than Antonio Valencia, the Ecuadorian powerhouse who has extended his Manchester United contract to June 2018.

Valencia has quickly become a vital part of Mourinho’s team by registering 23 starts in all competitions this season, while also winning the club’s Player of the Month award for November. In total he has now tallied 271 appearances, scored 21 goals and won six trophies for the club.

It was announced on Tuesday that a clause in the 31-year-old’s contract had been triggered to extend his current deal by one season, taking the ex-Wigan Athletic man into a ninth campaign as a Red.

Speaking to MUTV at the Aon Training Complex on Friday, Mourinho was full of praise for the player. "I don’t think it is a reward, I don't see it in this perspective," the boss said. "I just think he is the best right-back you can have. There is no better right-back in football. It is just for us to keep the best. I don't think it is a reward. It is a privilege for us to have such a good player and such a good man."

Mourinho revealed to MUTV earlier this season that he once tried to sign Valencia from United while he was Real Madrid manager in Spain, and he provided a little more detail while talking on Friday.

“He was not playing at right-back,” Mourinho explained. “Yes, I wanted him to play at right-back. But Manchester United was intelligent and strong, and immediately stopped any feeling about any possibility. Antonio is playing better than ever, I think. This season he is playing magnificently.”