Fergie backs Valencia to shine

Date published: 01/07/2009

Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson believes new signing Antonio Valencia can help Manchester United to a record fourth consecutive league title.

Having sold World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for a record £80million, United are believed to have reinvested around £16million on the Wigan winger.

Valencia (23) is likely to be the first of a handful of new arrivals at Old Trafford as Ferguson seeks to replace the attacking threats of Ronaldo and striker Carlos Tevez, who has opted not to join the Red Devils permanently.

But despite the prospect of more new names on the way, Ferguson is already convinced he has secured a player who can have a big impact on next term's title defence.

"Antonio is a player we have admired for some time now, having spent the last two years in the Premier League with Wigan," he said