Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia has spoken out after it was revealed he will leave the club at the end of the season.
The right-back is out of contract in the summer and will not be offered a new deal at Old Trafford in the coming months.
United had until 5pm on Friday evening to extend Valencia‘s stay by a further year but have missed the deadline.
The club had to offer written notice of their intention to extend the player’s current contract using an optional clause – but failed to do so.
But Valencia clearly has no hard feelings about the club’s decision, sending fans a classy tweet after news broke of his end of season exit.
“Lago Agrio is a very humble town in Ecuador. When I was a child, I never imagined travel to Europe,” he tweeted.
“Thanks to God for letting me play 10 years in the best club in the world: @ManUtd.
“Now I am focused on my recovery so I can end the season playing at Old Trafford!”
Speaking on Friday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinted that the 33-year-old would not be kept beyond the summer.
“He’s still not 100 per cent fit, he is still working to get back fit and he’s had a fantastic career here at Man United and in England,” the interim manager said.
“He is one of the Premier League winners left in the dressing room but at the moment I’m not sure if Man United and Antonio will agree on the next year.
“So it depends if he gets back on the pitch as well in the next few months but he’s the captain, a great servant to the club.
“So hopefully I can get him on the pitch and show what he can do, or he can get himself 100 per cent fit and back on the pitch.”
United take on Southampton at Old Trafford this afternoon.