ANTONIO Valencia is proving himself to be more Coppell than Cristiano.

United's Ecuadorian winger had the unenviable task of being Sir Alex Ferguson's only major import of a summer that saw Ronaldo depart for an astonishing world record £80m fee.

Valencia cost £64m less when he arrived from Wigan but the $64m question was could he fill the right-wing vacancy?

Nobody expected another World Player of the Year or Ballon D'Or future winner and comparisons to Ronaldo were too unfair and were quickly ditched by most.

Valencia, though, still had to win Old Trafford fans' hearts if not as the new Cristiano but as a more-than-capable new incumbent of the wing berth.

It has been a relatively slow process for the 24-year-old but with four goals in his last seven starts the modest South American is beginning to win over the Reds' support.

Those warming most to Valencia are the 50-somethings age bracket who travelled the country and filled OT in the mid-70s wearing Butcher's coats with bar scarves tied around their wrists entranced by the cavalier Tommy Docherty era.

Among the Doc's young swashbucklers was the direct raider Steve Coppell.

There was nothing flash about the former Liverpool University graduate but he took on defenders and kept a consistent supply line for the likes of Lou Macari, Jimmy Greenhoff and Stuart Pearson.

Valencia is turning into the modern-day Steve Coppell as he slowly but surely beds into his new surroundings.

"You knew with Steve Coppell what you'd get," Lou Macari told M.E.N. Sport.

"When Steve got the ball you knew he was going to get past his full back, get to the by-line and there would be an end product for strikers and midfield runners in the penalty box.

"For the likes of myself it was great knowing you could make your run knowing that nine times out of ten Steve would put in a cross and there would be a chance of getting a goal.

"I think you are getting the same from Valencia now and there also appears to be a lot more to come from him. He's a powerful lad and doesn't mess about he just beats a player and then delivers a decent cross.

"The fact he is also scoring goals now suggests he is getting more and more confident.

Valencia signed for the Reds from Wigan last June just four days after Ronaldo's exit was announced.

"Valencia's arrival was totally different to his arrival at Wigan and also Steve Coppell's signing for United in the 70s," added Macari.

"He had nothing to lose when he came to England from Villarreal to Wigan. He was an unknown quantity and was initially on loan. There were no expectations and no price tag.

"So anything he did was something of a bonus to fans. It was the same with Steve when the Doc signed him from Tranmere Rovers for £60,000.

"There was no great pressure on Steve and he just came in and played his game and the fans were delighted. There had been no pre-conceived ideas about his play. So he was like a breath of fresh air.

"It is the same with Gabriel Obertan this season. He arrives for next to nothing and without any expectations.

"He has put in some decent cameos recently and everyone is impressed. However, it wouldn't have been the same if you'd stuck a £16m fee on his head like Antonio had. Then it is a lot more difficult to create an impression."

Meanwhile, defender Jonny Evans intends to remain grounded - as he wants to stay on the right side of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Evans has enormous respect for the United manager.

He said: "It is very rare for him to say anything bad about his players. He always gives them 100 per cent backing. It is great to have that from a manager.

"You have to be on your toes as well as you cannot upset him. You have seen what he has done in the past. If you are taking your eye off the ball, he will get rid of you. He treats everyone as men. Everyone has got to deal with certain situations but if you need to go to him, he is there for you.

"He just wants you to enjoy your football."