Sir Alex Ferguson is known to recognise a player’s personality and character as much as his skill level or ability on the pitch, and this is arguably why he chose to sign Luis Antonio Valencia Mosquera, or 'Tony V' as he is affectionately known at Old Trafford, from Wigan in June 2009.
In fact, the boss made a point of referencing Valencia’s personal attributes shortly after it was announced the United winger had signed a new four-year contract extension on Monday, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2014/15 season. "He has a quiet, unassuming way of going about his business, which is underlined by great strength of character," said Sir Alex.
Born and raised on the mean streets of Lago Agrio, a rundown oil town in the north-west region of Ecuador, it is easy to see where Valencia would gather said strength. His parents recycled empty glass bottles for cash while their son spent his days playing barefooted football. It wasn’t exactly a pleasant way to grow up, but it did provide the United winger with his most important attributes: hunger and determination.
For it was these qualities that would fuel his rapid return from the potentially career-threatening injury sustained during last September's UEFA Champions League clash with Rangers. Remarkably, Valencia went on to play a pivotal role in United's charge towards a record-breaking 19th English league title, as well as cementing a starting berth against Barcelona in the European Cup final - ousting Players' Player of the Year Nani in the process.
All of that seemed implausible, though, when the Reds winger was felled by a relatively innocuous challenge from defender Kirk Broadfoot – one which dislocated and broke the Ecuadorian’s left ankle, stunning Old Trafford into a shocked silence in the anxious moments which followed.
Fast forward to six months later, however, and the contrast in atmosphere is huge. The Theatre of Dreams is collective in goodwill and it has little to do with a 1-0 half-time lead over Arsenal in the FA Cup. No, the biggest cheers are reserved for the returning Valencia, who springs off the bench to rapturous applause and churns out a surprisingly combative performance. It was as if he hadn’t been away.
Valencia’s return appeared to give United’s title challenge a shot in the arm too, following back-to-back Premier League defeats to both Chelsea and Liverpool, and it was certainly no coincidence that Wayne Rooney was beginning to show signs of his best form following an uncerta.
So it is with great relief and satisfaction to know a player of Valencia’s calibre and underestimated quality will be donning the red shirt of United until June 2015 at the very least. Granted, he's currently sidelined with that troublesome left ankle - but something inside me says he might just be alright.
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