Valencia extends United contract until 2019, Romero aims to be No. at Old Trafford
>> LONDON: An emotional week in the Manchester United career of Antonio Valencia ended on Friday with the announcement he had signed a new contract with the Europa League winners that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2019.
The 31-year-old winger cum fullback was United captain as they won the Europa League — the only major trophy missing from their collection with a 2-0 win over Dutch side Ajax in Wednesday’s final in Stockholm — a match that took place just two days after a suicide bomb in Manchester killed 22 people.
Valencia also has the option of extending his deal for an extra 12 months beyond 2019 after impressing United manager Jose Mourinho this season.
“It is no secret that I had been an admirer of Antonio’s long before I joined the club,” said former Chelsea boss Mourinho. “I knew what a fantastic player he was and he has not disappointed me on that front.
“However, what I could never have imagined was what a great person he is,” the Portuguese added.
“I know I have said this before but I truly believe it is a real privilege for us to have such a good player and such a good man.
“I am delighted he has extended his contract.”
Ecuador’s Valencia joined United in 2009 and has since won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups, the Europa League and three Community Shields.
“Manchester United has been my life since 2009 and I am absolutely delighted to have signed a new contract,” said Valencia.
“Wednesday evening provided the one trophy this club had never won and it was a true honour for me to captain the team for the [Europa League] final.
“I would like to thank the manager for the confidence he has given me this season and I am sure that we will be challenging on all fronts next season.
“I would also like to say a big thank you to my family, my teammates and, of course, the fans for their amazing support.”
Meanwhile, Sergio Romero has spent large parts of his club career sitting on the bench but after helping United win the Europa League, he believes he has shown he is good enough to be the club’s No.1 goalkeeper.
The Argentina No.1 has had to make do with only six Premier League starts in his two seasons with United since signing from Sampdoria, where he also had a limited role. But he spoke of his gratitude to Mourinho for making him first choice in the victorious Europa League campaign.
“I chose to come here because of the type of club this is, one of the biggest in the world and an opportunity I couldn’t turn down even though I knew it might be a little harder here to play a lot,” Romero said.
“With Louis [van Gaal] I played 12 games and I felt good and so I thought I had played an important role for the team despite not playing a lot. Then with Jose I’ve had a bigger role, I’ve been able to play a little more and I’ve been able to show I’m a goalkeeper that can play for this club.”
He added: “My intention is to stay. I could be the No.1 or No.2 again, it all depends on hard work, but hard work is something I have plenty of.
“But you never know what’s going to happen in the future so you have to keep working hard for what comes next.”