Valencia shows there is life after Ronaldo

Manchester United 2, Valencia 0

MANCHESTER United new-boy Antonio Valencia is taking over the mantle from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo was hardly missed as Valencia, a £16million replacement from Wigan Athletic, was the star of the show against the Spanish side which bears the same name as the exciting winger from Ecuador.

Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted with the way Valencia has settled in at Old Trafford.

The United chief said: “I was impressed with his performance and he has immediately taken up the challenge.

“He played with a lot of purpose and and I have been very pleased with what I have seen so far.”

Valencia is different in style and temperament to Ronaldo, who was the supreme showman. But he has proved just as effective on the right wing and set up both United’s second-half goals last night.

His lofted cross was headed home Wayne Rooney and he also provided the centre for young midfielder Tom Cleverley to seal victory.

United created a hatful of chances in front of a crowd of 74,311.

Michael Owen should have crowned his Old Trafford debut as a Reds player with a hatful of goals.

Owen’s running and movement were excellent and he linked up well with Rooney, but he wasted five clear-cut chances in front of England manager Fabio Capello.

There were glimpses of the Owen of old and, providing he can rediscover his touch in front of goal, he could prove the steal of the summer after arriving as a free agent.

Darron Gibson struck the crossbar and forced ’keeper Cesar Sanchez to make a splendid save as United, despite the departures of Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, boasted plenty of attacking spark.

Valencia had their moments. Michel struck the crossbar while ’keeper Tomasz Kuszczak, who replaced Ben Foster in the second half, pulled off a breathtaking stops to deny Miku and David Silva in an pre-season friendly.


STEPHEN Ireland and Martin Petrov scored for Manchester City, who lost 3-2 against Glasgow Rangers last night.