Antonio Valencia was available for selection in recent Derby match, where his team lost 3-1 to an eminent display by City. The 33-year-old Ecuadorian defender may not have been fully recovered but was a “tactical absence.”
The decision was taken by team management and was more a pre-decided happening rather than an injury centered. The decision was lighted in public by the right-back, himself.
He told Area Deportiva: “Right now I haven’t been playing, but it’s more of a tactical decision. The player who has been in my place [Ashley Young] has been playing well. You have to respect the decision.”
“The only thing I can do is prepare and be ready for when he [Mourinho] needs me and be in the right condition to compete. I’m calm right now and I know I’ll get an opportunity to play again. The relationship with Mourinho has always been a good one.”
The captain of Red Devils in absence of Valencia has been in a good notch and gives no excuse for Mourinho to drop him and allow Valencia game time. Mourinho has, however, given Young a preference over Valencia and the Ecuadorian liked an Instagram post of United Board asking for Mourinho to be sacked.
Definitely, not something Valencia could have done intentionally. However, the latter, later apologized for his actions as a mistake and claims to be going hand-in-hand with Mou.
A spot on performance for his country which also incorporated a goal has made Valencia an available option for Mourinho.
