Valencia: Don't compare me to Ronaldo

Stuart Mathieson

July 14, 2009

Antonio Valencia

ANTONIO Valencia has urged fans and critics not to burden him with the Cristiano Ronaldo successor tag.

The £16m wing capture from Wigan, United's biggest cash purchase of the summer, is eager to prove himself at Old Trafford but not as the World Player of the Year's heir.

"When I had my first conversations with United it was never said I was coming here as a replacement for the previous number seven," said the 23-year-old Ecuadorian.

"Obviously Cristiano did very well here. But I am here to do my job and do the things I do well. I am keen to do well. That is the main thing.

"I have a real desire to do well. I don't make any comparisons between myself and Cristiano."

Sir Alex Ferguson is pleased with his two new additions to his flank stock in Valencia and 20-year-old £3m signing Gabriel Obertan.

He is expecting the pair to maintain United's traditions of exciting wingers.

Dipped

"They are both very quick players and play in wide positions. We like players at this club who can play in wide positions.

"We have always had that and it gives us two other strings to our bow," he said.

"In Gabriel's case we knew him when he was 16 years of age. He was probably the most sought-after youngster in Europe at that time.

"We always kept in touch with him through Jim Ryan. His form dipped a little last season and that was possibly because of an injury.

"But the form has returned. He played fantastically against England Under-21s at Nottingham Forest in March and we reignited our interest."

Obertan says: "It is about having minutes on the pitch. If I can get some each game it is going to be great because I just want to make progress with United."

How do you think Valencia and Obertan will fit into the Reds squad? Have your say.

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OpenshawBoy, Canada (14/07/2009 at 09:47)

To compare him with another player, Ronaldo or any other, dows a disservice to Valencia. Why people wish to do this is beyond me, some of the things a player does may remond you of a certain other, but apart from that each player is unique. How would you feel if your friends told you they had met somebody who was just like you, but better? Chances are you would get quite upset and insist there is only one you.

So stop this ridiculous comparison nonsense before it starts, too many players have had their careers ruined by having unwanted expectations placed on them. Valencia is Valencia, let him be who he is. In our game at Wigan he gave us quite abit of trouble when he burst forward and cut inside, true his end product was awry, but he is our Valencia now, and the quality coaching of coaching United are famous for will surely polish this diamond in the rough.

red john (14/07/2009 at 09:51)

well we seem to have been here before in the mid 90's; lets hope with the same success; havent seen obertan; and have to confess pace apart valencia didnt leave me gasping last season against wigan; it still retains the basic strenght as a squad and if liverpool lose alonso then that is a big loss; same can be said of chelski and terry and adebayour at the arse; so perhaps it will even out the playing field. I suppose with a wad in the bank we can strenthen later...but; hmmm let see

outstation, perth, australia (14/07/2009 at 10:00)

Very excited about the year ahead. The great man has placed his faith more or less in the incumbents, while creating some additional routes to goal (the two wingers) and goals (old man river owen). Critical that mIdfielders (dare i say it ... including Hargraves) stay healthy, while defence looks after itself. Looking good. This will very much one for the true believers.

dumbartini, GX (14/07/2009 at 10:11)

He's bound to be compared isn't he - if he plays on the right wing of course.
But if he can beat a man and deliver a ball on a plate for Owen, he'll be doing things that Ronaldo rarely did.
It'll be up to Rooney to change a game name and to do something special.

Is there any news on Hargreaves yet by the way?

UTD7, South Stand OT (14/07/2009 at 10:18)

Don't worry we won't.

Alias Smith, over the moon (14/07/2009 at 10:19)

Fans will compare Valencia to Ronaldo, it's daft but inevitable. We still get people moaning that Keano's never been replaced or Ruud's never been replaced when we've gone on to greater success without those players.

There are three key differences between Ronaldo and Valencia. 1. Valencia will NEVER score as many goals as Ronaldo did BUT his play may facilitate a much greater return for the other forwards. 2. Valencia will be much more a team player than Ronaldo ever was, he will never try to win a game on his own (Rome) and we can accomodate Rafael at right back knowing that Valencia will help cover. 3. Valencia is a United player.

BTW, anyone any idea who will take the free kicks now? Hargo hits a mean dead ball but even if fit, he will not be in the team every game. It would be nice if we had someone who can actually get the ball over the wall and below the bar from 20-25 yards out. Perhaps they will be shared between Nani, Hargo and Giggs?

danny, WILMSLOW (14/07/2009 at 10:41)

He will be a great player now what we need at United is a manager that can tell fans the whole truth we have been duped yet again by the club and Fergie knew Ronaldo was leaving had no intention of signing Tevez
So he signs Owen on the last minute before he chose Stoke or Hull these days in big buisness you either pay up or shut up!
And United have shut up and the Glazers are using United to finance their losses in their other buisness.

united we stand, south manchester (14/07/2009 at 11:55)

danny from prawn sandwich town.when is the last time that you made a half decent post on this website? the answer is you havent.im sick to death of your constant negative comments about anything to do with utd.moan moan moan id like to see you manage a football club youd be the greatest their ever was,so i think you should phone sky and get them round to remove your sky dish so you cant watch football from your armchair and go and have a run out in your pink 206 convertable to clear your head.nob

TMUF, Manchester (14/07/2009 at 12:03)

Danny Tevez was crap, Ronaldo wanted to go(for a while now), and Owen on a free transfer is a fantastic signing. Whats your point?

As for Valencia its true the comparisons will be made but I truly believe, defensively at least, he will improve our shape and team blend.

Obertan I have only seen on youtube, but he is a lump! He looks like he is made for the Prem, with pace and skill. I am not expecting him to set the world alight straight away, but I think he could develop into a great player training and playing with our squad.

All in all we look strong in goal, strong in defence, strong in the wings, strong upfront and quoting SAF, STRONGEST in CM.

So although I was expecting a star man, it really just was for the sake of it.

And this century, bar Berbatov and Veron, I cant think of too many players we bought as ready made stars.

With all the doubters and the chance to make history, I think this really could eclipse our greatest title.

Sparky, Salford (14/07/2009 at 12:29)

3 good additions and there will be 2 more addtions before the start of the season (2 from Costa, Young and Aguero)but he'll wait for the market to cool although Costa is almost done. The Squad is good but i feel it is slightly short of where it needs to be but i am sure that will be sorted out. I fully expect Rodwell to come from Everton next summer which will add real quality in CM for the future.

stuart ripley (14/07/2009 at 12:40)

hey danny wilmslow sorry to join in the danny bashing again but you do bring it on yourself !! . mate you say we need a manager so as i have asked you to do countless times NAME YOUR CHOICE TO REPLACE SIR ALEX its not a hard question mate whats your opinion ? please answer we all need cheering up !!!!!

Drago 34 (14/07/2009 at 13:16)

Sparky,Salford: Not a bad shout on Rodwell but where did you here that a deal for Douglas Costa is almost done?

danny, WILMSLOW (14/07/2009 at 13:19)

TMUF, Manchester Tevez was not crap he was the one who got us to the final when we knocked out Barcelona,what is crap is the manager and his number two who have let quality players like Pique go and have no clue about tactics playing wingers in midfield playing forawrds on the wing.
One thing Rooney Ronaldo and TEVEZ plus 99% of the football world agree on is Fergie got it wrong big style just like he gave the FA cup away.
Fergie is like the pied piper leading all his litle sheep.

danny, WILMSLOW (14/07/2009 at 13:21)

You have never asked me to name a manager seems Fergies ways are rubbing off on the fans.
I would get Wenger or Mourinio!

danny, WILMSLOW (14/07/2009 at 13:32)

Fergie said he rated Adebayor so how come Manchester City are on the verge of signing Emmanuel Adebayor for £25million yes 7 million less than Berbatov the real truth is there is no money for players the Glazers have put up the prices and frozen the money even EVERTON have a bigger kitty!

giggsy, sweden (14/07/2009 at 13:33)

Roony is good on the dead ball, so i think we will see more free kicks from him.

giggsy, sweden (14/07/2009 at 13:40)

"Fergie knew Ronaldo was leaving had no intention of signing Tevez ..."

Well Tevez was offerd a 5 year deal wayback in feb that he turnd down,so it's not fair to say that Sir Alex had no intention of signing Tevez.

outstation, perth, australia (14/07/2009 at 13:40)

Any Utd fan who is crying here really needs to get a grip. There's no sure things in life, or transfers. There's been some top prospects signed over the past 2-3 years, and they've all more or less stood to one side assisting the tremendous talent that was CR. Now they get the chance to step up, play in run of games, and show there own wares without being mere servants on Ronaldo's stage. Just to add a tiny little bit of extra motivation, it's also a World Cup year. Last thing that would have made sense was bringing in one or two or three superstars for top dollar. Let the incumbents show their talents. Great move SAF. Just a TAD smarter than the rest!!

joey (14/07/2009 at 13:45)

Alias Smith, I reckon the approach to freekicks will change, with the strategy now being mainly for the taker to deliver the ball into the box and the those in the box to attack. I always felt sorry for Rio and Vidic who used to go forward for every freekick which inevitably would be blasted by Ronaldo either wide or at the keeper. As for those around 25 yards range, Rooney and Nani have shown potential, potentially even Fabio. Closer than that and I would give the goal to Berba, he has scored some delightful curled freekicks in the past. My greatest hope for this season is that the fans can unite behind every single player, but that said I'm really excited - in all truth I was getting a bit bored of winning the league with exactly the same squad, the excitement that new faces bring is only bettered by the excitement of a new season after promotion.

North Level 2, Block 233, Seat 893 (14/07/2009 at 13:50)

dont do yourself down antonio, after all , you were wigans second best player last season.

tooth&claw, manchester (14/07/2009 at 14:24)

danny Wilmslow, I know that you are a quite barmy bitter but even you should know that SAF was contemplating £25m on Tevez/Benzema. So why do you keep repeating things that you know to be untrue?

stuart ripley (14/07/2009 at 14:26)

danny i must be right then you post something and run away so you dont have to read peoples comments about you !. Would that be wenger who has delivered how many trophies in the last 4 years ? would he buy the established stars you crave ? or would he give youth a chance ? you would be on his back straight away too mate can you imagine what you would be saying if he came here and won nothing for 4 years. in his time in this country has he outshone sir alex ?.

Jose would win things here but it would not be great to watch, i understand we had our troubles last year but as champions the expectation becomes greater every season you retain the title. Im not sure jose would entertain big stars either he likes a close knit team arrangement without standout stars. the only other thing with jose is by his own addmission he would not stay here long not long enough to build for the future so young players would be on the back burner and never given a chance to shine after all if you only stay at a club for 2-3 years why worry what happens to it 7-8 years down the line thats not his worry. Sir alex has always and will always want this club to be at the top of the pile years after he has gone.

I dont disagree that either of those guys are great managers in there own right but to replace sir alex on the back of the run of trophies he has at the moment.... utter madness.

True utd supporters will always take a couple of barren years to blood kids blend a team and come roaring back to win 3-4 league titles on the bounce IT IS THE FABRIC OF OUR CLUB, IT IS THE REASON WE SUPPORT THIS GREAT CLUB, we as true fans are in a long term relationship with it if you want a quick fumble one night stand with the club you support i suggest you buy in that other lot down the road.... just dont come moaning to us when your riddled with std's !!!!!.

Fair play to you for posting an answer though mate its all about opinion and ill be interested to hear everyone elses thought on the matter .

danny, WILMSLOW (14/07/2009 at 14:45)

Fergie says he offered him a deal but who knows the truth that must have had nothing to do with the fans protests about having him here almost 2 yrs they had ample opportunity to say long ago how they felt,I can still here the waffle coming from Gill and Fergie!

MUFC1878 (14/07/2009 at 14:46)

TMUF, Manchester

Tevez was crap?

Right then - whose goals (crucial) goals, may I add, bore a major factor in winning us two premiership titles, a league cup, a World Club Cup and European Cup?

If Tevez was so crap, why did United make a last ditch effort to sign him? If he was crap, why did at one point Sir Alex say he reminded him of Cantona - because Cantona was crap?

I've a feeling Carlitos will show us all how 'crap' he really is this season.

danny, WILMSLOW (14/07/2009 at 14:47)

Hargreaves never got a two day medical however he is the best dead ball specialist at United!

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