Football: Valencia to miss United pre-season tour

MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Antonio Valencia has flown back to England and will play no part in the club’s pre-season tour of the US. It was unlikely Valencia would have been involved anyway given he has been on Copa America duty with Ecuador. However, a nasty ankle injury means the winger will play no further part. And, whilst he does not believe the problem is serious, Ferguson is taking no chances and has told the player to head back to United’s training complex for treatment. “Antonio has gone straight back to Manchester,” said Ferguson. “He got an injury playing in the first game for Ecuador so he is back in Manchester.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2011.