Jose Mourinho has suggested Antonio Valencia will become Manchester United’s next permanent captain.
Michael Carrick retired at the end of last season but barely figured in a campaign where he was sidelined for four months due to an irregular heartbeat. Valencia skippered United in all 39 of his starts last term.
Valencia, 32, is now the longest-serving player in the United squad and Mourinho all but confirmed his appointment as Carrick’s replacement after the 1-1 draw with Club America in Phoenix, Arizona.
“The captain was Valencia last season, I think he’s going to be the captain,” Mourinho said. “And when he doesn’t play we have to make decisions.
“Depends on who is on the pitch, if Smalling is, if Ashley Young is, if Herrera is or Mata is, if they are on the pitch they have an option. Matic has all the attributes to be Manchester United captain but he arrived only one year ago.
“But I never care much about the captaincy, I care more about the life in the dressing room and the leaders. The armband means what it means.”
Valencia faces competition from new right-back signing Diogo Dalot, although the 19-year-old Portuguese is not available until September. Mourinho already appears to have settled on a defence for the Premier League opener against Leicester on August 10.
Valencia Joined Manchester United on 30th June 2009 having cut his holiday short to have a medical with the club. He signed a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee, rumoured to be in the region of £16 million. He made his competitive debut for Manchester United in the 2009 FA Community Shield, when he came on for the injured Nani in the 62nd minute. On 17 October 2009, he scored his first competitive goal for the club, scoring United’s second in a 2–1 league victory against Bolton Wanderers. His first UEFA Champions League goal followed four days later in a 1–0 away victory against CSKA Moscow.
On 8 August 2010, Valencia scored United’s first goal in their 3–1 win over Chelsea in the 2010 Community Shield. During a Champions League game against Rangers on 14 September 2010, Valencia suffered a break to his left ankle. An operation the morning after the match showed that his left ankle was fractured and dislocated, and that his ankle ligaments were damaged. On 28 February 2011, Valencia returned to training with Manchester United’s first team.
On 3 July 2012, it was confirmed that Valencia would wear the number 7 shirt, worn by past players such as Johnny Berry, Steve Coppell, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, after Sir Alex Ferguson offered the number upon Michael Owen’s departure from the club. The number 25 shirt was given to Valencia’s new teammate Nick Powell. On 17 April 2013, Valencia scored his first league goal of the season, against West Ham United. On 22 April 2013, Valencia won his second Premier League title after Manchester United defeated Aston Villa in a 3–0 home win.
Valencia will become the 9th Manchester United Captain of the Premier League era following the likes of Steve Bruce, Ryan Giggs, Eric Cantona and Roy Keane.