Manchester United set to replace longest serving player

Manchester United are reportedly plotting to replace Antonio Valencia who has underperformed in recent matches. The Ecuador captain has been so instrumental for the Red Devils under Jose Mourinho but has recently suffered from signs of fatigue this season.

According to The Manchester Evening News, United are looking for a long-term replacement with Matteo Damian likely to be on his way out and Timothy Fosu-Mensah (on loan) looks a big risk for a regular first team player for the Red Devils.

It is suggested that Mourinho prefers someone with Premier League experience. Seamus Coleman name has been brought up as a perfect replacement for Valencia, owing to his former links with United during Louis van Gaal’s time as United manager.

Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal and Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich are among the names also suggested but they look unrealistic targets for the summer transfer window.

Valencia who has captained United in most of the games in the absence of Carrick, will turn 33 before the start of the 2018/19 season forcing United to look for a replacement since his age may not allow him to play all domestic and European matches for United.

Antonio Valencia was formerly a winger in Manchester United first team until when Van Gaal took charge of the club and changed him to a right-back, a position he has developed in and now he is regarded as the best right-back in the premier league and one of the best in the world.

At the moment, there is no better person than the vice-captain to occupy the right-back position. It will be interesting to see who Mourinho will buy in the Summer.