Valencia the outcast heads for United exit
MANCHESTER United captain Antonio Valencia is open to leaving Old Trafford in the January transfer window after accepting that he is unlikely to win back the trust of manager Jose Mourinho.
Valencia’s agent has been in Manchester this week to discuss his options, with the 33-year-old, who has attracted interest from West Ham and Spanish clubs, yet to be offered a new deal.
The Ecuadorean and Mourinho fell out following the 0-0 draw with Valencia in the Champions League at the start of October after he liked an Instagram post calling for the under-pressure manager to be sacked.
Valencia issued a public apology after saying sorry to Mourinho in person during a meeting at United’s training ground, but he was frozen out for almost two months before returning for the Champions League ties against Young Boys and Valencia.
The wing-back is unhappy at his treatment and doubts whether his relationship with Mourinho can be repaired after the two were left barely on speaking terms.
Previously the United boss had criticised Valencia’s conditioning after he returned for pre-season training overweight.
Mourinho then dropped him for not attending the Carabao Cup defeat at Derby in September in his role as club captain, even though he was not playing.
United have the option to extend his current £100,000-aweek deal by a further 12 months before it expires next summer.
Valencia is United’s longestserving player, making 337 appearances since joining from Wigan for £16million in 2009, but he has played seven times this season.
Mourinho may have to turn to Valencia again on Sunday when United visit bitter rivals Liverpool due to injury concerns over full backs Diogo Dalot, Matteo Darmian and Luke Shaw.
Chris Smalling, Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay also missed Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat by Valencia in Spain, and the injury that forced Marcos Rojo off at half-time means he is definitely out along with Alexis Sanchez and Victor Lindelof.
In theory, up to nine players could miss the trip to Anfield, but Mourinho hopes some will be available to face the unbeaten Premier League leaders.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are set to be without Trent AlexanderArnold for this Sunday’s clash. The right back suffered an ankle injury against Napoli in midweek.