Man United To Release Valencia

By Nigel Phillip

Manchester United are set to release their captain, Antonio Valencia, at the end of the 2018/19 season, as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirms the club is not willing to extend the player ’s contract.

Manchester United have until 5 pm on Friday to trigger a one-year extension on the contract they have with Valencia which would see the latter at the club until 2020.

Failure to do so, however, means that Valencia can leave the club to any destination of his choice for free.

It appears, however, that the club is taking the latter option as Solskjaer told reporters at a news conference on Friday that Manchester United are currently not considering the option of tying down the player for another season.

"He's still not 100 per cent fit," Solskjaer said of Valencia. "He is still working to get back fit and he’s had a fantastic career here at Man United and in England, he is one of the Premier League winners left in the dressing room.

"But, at the moment, I'm not sure if Man United and Antonio will agree on the next year, so it depends if he gets back on the pitch as well in the next few months.

"But he's the captain, a great servant to the club, so hopefully I can get him on the pitch and show what he can do, or he can get himself 100 per cent fit and back on the pitch."

The 33-year-old right-back has started one Premier League game in five months and played just eight times for United all season, amid injury issues and a lack of form.

Ashley Young has established himself as United's first-choice right-back and the club has bought 19-year-old, Diogo Dalot, who former manager, Jose Mourinho, described could be the club’s right-back 'for the next 10 years.'

Although Solskjaer said in December there are 'not many better' full-backs than Valencia, the Ecuadorian has appeared under him just once - against Newcastle on January 2.

Valencia is currently sidelined with a calf injury but has been unavailable for selection for most of Solskjaer's matches.