Born :
04 Aug 1985
Birth place :
Nueva Loja
Height :
5' 11'' (1.80m)
Weight :
78 kg
Position :
Winger
Squad Number :
25
Appearances :
69
Joined United :
30 Jun 2009
United Debut :
9 Aug 2009 v Chelsea (N)
International :
Ecuador
Powerful, pacy winger Antonio Valencia has that rare ability to beat his man from a standing start, to make a yard of space on the byline in order to deliver a cross.
The Ecuador international became United's first summer signing in 2009 when he joined the Reds from Wigan Athletic, and he enjoyed a superb first season at Old Trafford, finishing as one of the Reds' top appearance-makers and claiming a spot in the PFA Team of the Year.
Wayne Rooney was the main beneficiary of Valencia's pinpoint, whipped-in crosses, while the winger himself chipped in with seven goals, including a vital late winner in the Champions League at CSKA Moscow. He's a skilful, old-fashioned wideman in the Andrei Kanchelskis mould.
Valencia has more than 30 caps for his country, including one in the 1-0 defeat to England in the 2006 World Cup. His performances at the tournament earned him a nomination for FIFA's Best Young Player award and raised a few eyebrows among Europe's top bosses.
It was Wigan boss Paul Jewell, however, who won the race for his signature and he arrived at the JJB Stadium on loan that year, having previously enjoyed stints in Spain at Recreativo Huelva (loan) and Villarreal. It was the latter who first spotted his talent, bringing him to Europe from Ecuadorian club El Nacional in 2005.
In his three seasons at Wigan, Valencia made 83 appearances, scoring seven times. One of his most memorable games actually came against United in January 2009, when he ran riot on the right wing in the Latics' 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
Valencia's pace and ability to go past a man and reach the byline were key to Wigan’s rise under Steve Bruce, and his supply to Emile Heskey helped ensure the team’s survival in the top flight in 2007/08. And it didn't take him long to make an impression on United fans following his switch to Old Trafford.
The winger was hoping to build on an impressive first season at the start of the 2010/11 campaign, but a horrific ankle injury, suffered in the Champions League clash with Rangers in September 2010, decimated his season.
Antonio battled to regain fitness, however, and his form after returning to first team action in March 2011 was stunning. He played a key role as the Reds regained the Premier League title - making him a league champion for the first time - and he ended a topsy-turvy campaign with fittingly mixed emotions, starting his first Champions League final but tasting defeat against Barcelona.
Nevertheless, Valencia's worth to the United cause had been underlined and, after penning a new four-year deal in August 2011, he will be a key member in the Reds' ranks for the foreseeable future.
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