Valencia admits he thought Man Utd interest was a joke

By Daily Sports on January 28, 2017

Antonio Valencia admits he thought Steve Bruce was “having a laugh” when the former Wigan Athletic boss informed him of interest from Manchester United in acquiring his services.

The Ecuador international had been in England for three years by the time the Red Devils made their move, having first linked up with the Latics in August 2006.

He had shown enough by the summer of 2009 to convince Sir Alex Ferguson that he would be a useful addition to the ranks at Old Trafford.

Valencia had been an out-and-out winger for Wigan, with his game all about hugging the touchline and providing pinpoint ammunition for those in the middle.

Since moving to United, he has been edged back into a right-back role, with current boss Jose Mourinho considering him to be the world’s best in a buccaneering defensive post.

Valencia, though, concedes that he struggled to believe that such a prestigious club wanted to sign him when news of the Red Devils’ admiration of his talents first broke.

He told United’s official website ahead of a reunion with Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday: "I remember Steve Bruce told me that United were interested in me but I really didn’t believe him as he was always having a laugh and a joke with me. 'No, seriously, they are very interested in you,' he insisted.

"A couple of days before the deal was officially announced, I met with Sir Alex and, when I looked into the eyes of the manager right in front of me, I could tell that he was serious about signing me, and he gave me his word and told me everything would be sorted out.

"That was an incredible moment and that evening I didn’t know whether to cry or shout or what to do. I rang my family in Ecuador and we chatted and they didn’t believe me either! But thankfully it all went ahead and I joined United."

Valencia is now fast closing in on 300 appearances for United and will be hoping to add to the two Premier League titles, League Cup and FA Cup successes he has already enjoyed with the club in 2016-17. (goal.com)

•Photo shows Antonnio Valencia

 

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 28, 2017


 

You may also like...
Kwara United GM Rewards Players For Winning Governor...

African Basketball League berates NBBF, accuses Federation of...

It’s fire for fire, Mikel promises Zambia

PSG Beat Marseille To Win Champions Trophy

Rangers open contract renewal talks with Imama

Arsenal Congratulate Partey On 2022 World Cup Qualification...

 

Latest News CAF awards: Ajibade, Nnadozie, Edo Queens bag nominations Lagos SWAN, PAACC Hold SWAN Day At Golfview Hotels, Ikeja Crisis looms as Eagles’ form raises AFCON, W’Cup concerns Ex-Nigerian Super Falcons player handcuffed, children assaulted as police storm Anambra Football Academy Sports NFF, teammates console Nwabali on father’s death Abia Govt hails Nigeria Olympic Committee over staging an admin course in Umuahia Libya deliver Eagles 2025 AFCON ticket Eagles battle Cheetahs for 2025 AFCON ticket Yellow Greens gear up for T20 W’Cup qualifiers Tyson tips Fury to beat Joshua Sadiq absent as 22 Eagles train in Abidjan Eagles’ striking trio hot for Cheetahs, Amavubi clashes

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,164 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,308 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,370 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,015 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,948 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,904 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,744 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,312 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,366 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,054 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,507 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,932 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media