Manchester United Legend Singles Out This Star Player Following Rostov Win

Manchester United former captain Rio Ferdinand was quick to praise Antonio Valencia for his superb performance during his former club’s 1-0 win over FC Rostov in the Europa League last 16.

Used as a right wing back by Jose Mourinho, Valencia was a relentless force that keeps going forward all evening in the game. In a match that obviously lacked any reasonable tempo, the Ecuadorian keeps steaming forward at will.

And Man United Legend Rio Ferdinand took to social media to heap lots of praise on the 31-year-old  following another classic display on the right hand side.

Valencia, though an often unsung star, is a world class player. Not every player used to going wide and forward can effectively play as a full time defender again. So, for Valencia who is always keen to bomb forward under any circumstances, to immediately thrived as a right wing back, means he is a superb footballer.

On Thursday night, the visiting Russian club’s defensive line rendered Valencia free to drive forward at will. By also going further forward, he was able to give the likes of Mata and Mkhitaryan more space to delve into, as Valencia’s relentless power and energy drawing defenders further wide all game.

The Ecuador legend is no longer younger quite all right, and in just few years from now, he will be expected to rest from the pitch. And when he finally hanged his boot and Manchester United got another player to replace him at the right back, the new player might either be better than Valencia or not, but won’t be able to play like Antonio Valencia does.