The centre backs lost Sturridge. He was their man after all.
25
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 35
- Clean sheets
- 12
- Goals
- 0
- Assists
- 5
- Yellow cards
- 4
Almost no player gives the ball away less than Valencia does, yet you think he is suspect on the ball. That is a ridiculous statement, tbh. He may not be inventive, but he is very technically sound.
His consistent 7/10 Solid performance. It is easy to see why LvG prefers him to the roller coaster of Rafael
Yes, Smalling was awful on one of the chances too, didn't have a clue where Sturridge was and then chased with Valencia opening up the gap for Lallana. Sturridge isn't simply their man though, if he drifts wide as he did then you pass him onto the fullback.
Which is fair enough if he's in a position to cover which he wasn't. You also have to make him aware you've passed him on which we'll never know.
Along with Rooney, our poorest performer. I was bricking it every time the ball came near him. Surely Rafa deserves a run, can't do any worse.
He wasn't in a position to cover because he is oblivious to his surroundings, its not like he was actually doing anything. Yes, we don't know what the communication was like so I can't comment on it, if there was none then Smalling obviously has to do better.
Needs to take responsibility himself when the ball's played to him and we need to release some pressure. Needs to take on a man instead of always looking for someone.
He was up the pitch because Rooney lost the ball in an advanced position if I remember it right. We expect him to get forward so the centre backs need to be handling a lone centre forward better.
I don't disagree with the people attacking those going after Valencia with completely unfair criticism such as him losing the ball a lot, however, just like against Arsenal, his positioning was poor first half.
Given he's relatively new to the position we can't be that surprised and his pace and strength normally make up for it. He's getting better in that respect. Some here just want their darling in the team and will see what they want to see.
Thought he was solid enough today. I think people are expecting a wingers performance from him at times which is unfair. Mata isn't a winger who will go on the outside therefore Valencia is expected to contribute most of that, but he also has to be aware defensively but I feel he's getting better in that position, and he's definitely not a liability. However, I would still rather see Rafael there.
Defensively bossed that side. Players rarely beat him and showed good combination play with Herrera and Mata.
One thing ive noticed is when he goes forward on the right, Rooney should be making a run to give him an option. As he doesnt do that, Valencia has to cut back in which limits what he can do (especially give how right footed he is). This happened a few times in the first half and Neville even mentioned it. Hes basically become an old school RB in terms of being strong defensively but could use improving going forward.
I don't understand the criticism. Thought he did pretty well and I really liked his partnership with Mata and Herrera on the right. Our two most frequent pass combinations were Valencia to Mata (35) and Mata to Valencia (23) with Herrera to Valencia (17) on fourth place.
I feel like some of you still think of him as a winger. Yes, he didn't bring much danger in the final third, didn't beat a man very often and his passes were mostly safe, sideways or backwards. However, you've got to remember that he's a defender now, playing against Liverpool at Anfield, a team that relies on very quick transition and counters. He couldn't afford to be too adventurous.
I prefer him at RB nowadays. The chances of him ending up on the wing in the final third and smashing the ball at the opponent's full back are significantly reduced that way and I'm grateful for that.
I feel like some of you still think of him as a winger. Yes, he didn't bring much danger in the final third, didn't beat a man very often and his passes were mostly safe, sideways or backwards. However, you've got to remember that he's a defender now, playing against Liverpool at Anfield, a team that relies on very quick transition and counters. He couldn't afford to be too adventurous.
I prefer him at RB nowadays. The chances of him ending up on the wing in the final third and smashing the ball at the opponent's full back are significantly reduced that way and I'm grateful for that.
I thought he was decent. Not an easy game and going forward, he, Mata and Herrera are brilliant
Another top performance. Can't really see much of a need to buy another RB if we are keeping both TonyV and Rafa next year. If they can integrate into LvG's system then we're not likely to get much of an improvement from an outside player.
Him, Mata and Herrera link up brilliantly on the right. Same with Blind, Fellaini and Young on the flank. Critical to our play in the last 2 games.
Needs to put a range of quality before some stop the unfair criticism they give him ( a la Smalling, Fellaini). Valencia was fine today.
Defensively we look fragile as hell. Liverpool created a few good chances despite barely having the ball, yet everyone goes on about how good our defenders did.
Most underwhelming performances from an United player, the whole season. We would have been in a much better position if we had played Rafael instead (for example we would still have been in the FA Cup)
When? De Gea never made a save. They'd one chance before their goal.
Jaysus, the drivel spouted in this thread.
Mind you, I would agree that yesterday was arguably Valencia's worst performance this season. I think Van Gaal was spot on not to drop him after that one bad mistake against Arsenal because his overall performance was good in that game. As he has been in most games this season. Against Liverpool, though, he didn't play well at all. I wonder if that might have opened the door for Rafael.
Baffling post. Liverpool created feck all.
you are just being contrary for the sake of it. how is are Valencia's performances not underwhelming for a right-back? He barely does the job defensively and he clogs up the play offensively while making no meaningful contribution
Some of you are so delusional because of your love for Rafa. Time to wake up and let it go, Valencia was decent enough yesterday. He isnt there to create and cross the ball all the time. He plays reliable and consistent most of the time, which is probably what LvG asks. Liverpool created 2 chances, suddenly they were world beaters yesterday and Valencia was at fault for everything.
Sell Rafa, buy a new RB and keep Valencia in the squad. Thats what will happen, if you like it or not.
Sell Rafa, buy a new RB and keep Valencia in the squad. Thats what will happen, if you like it or not.
More drivel.
Seriously, I think we've been watching different games so I don't know where to begin with a response. All I can say is you need to pay more attention.
He's a beast of a right back. People need to be more objective and forget their petty opinions of various players.
I completely wrote off both Valencia and Fellaini last season and argued til I was blue in the face that they had no future here and we're completely useless.
Well guess what? I was completely wrong. Both players have been excellent this season. Humble pie, learn to eat it some times.
I completely wrote off both Valencia and Fellaini last season and argued til I was blue in the face that they had no future here and we're completely useless.
Well guess what? I was completely wrong. Both players have been excellent this season. Humble pie, learn to eat it some times.
Solid performance yesterday, was surprised to see how well he managed to keep possession under pressure.
As solid as a player can get. One of his best attributes is his ability to use his strength and pace to get out of tight situations. It's as clear as daylight that he's been instructed not to commit forward too much, and allow the likes of Mata and Herrera to be more creative.
i could say the same thing for every thing you post in case we don't agree.
our expectations of what is required from a full-back seem to be very different.
I feel like some people still think of him as what we bought to replace Ronaldo and their butts still hurt.
Yep. Pressure him all you want; he's got this great ability to swivel, turn and fake his way out of a tight spot despite only using one foot.
I think the main reason behind his improvement is he isn't being asked to take on his full back at every single opportunity and cross the ball.
He's fine as a back up player. He's versatility and willing to give 100% whenever called upon, even if that means not playing every week. You need people like that in your squad. If he plays every week at right back then eventually we're gonna see mistakes from him that cost us, the one against Arsenal being a prime example. Further forward he can still be effective, just not often enough to be playing there week in week out anymore, unfortunately Hopefully we bring in a new right back and winger next season so he can be used more sparingly. Don't see any point in selling him, we'd not get that much and he's a good player.
You just have to assume he will be caught out of position at least 2-3 times a game and ignore it. Since he was solid otherwise, I gave him a 7/10. I don't expect him to ever learn positioning, and successive managers seem to be ok with that, so I've got to revise my standards downwards too.
I think he has improved under LVG. Most likely the summer will see Rafael sold and a proven RB brought in with Valencia becoming a capable squad player.
He had several shaky moments and got caught out of position. Other than that, he did a decent job and was instructed not to be too attacking minded
Valencia understands his role and was disciplined, staying deeper and allowing Mata and Herrera to do their creative thing. It also helps that he and Smalling usually have the speed and strength to bale out the right side of defence when someone gets it wrong.
Don't see the point of bringing in Rafael for squeaky bum time. He can't be anywhere near match fit.
Don't see the point of bringing in Rafael for squeaky bum time. He can't be anywhere near match fit.
Against Liverpool, Valencia did struggle quite a bit with Sturridge's movement. He was often unsure about whether to follow Sturridge around, stay inside, or stay outside. However, given that Coutinho and Moreno barely got a sniff on their left side thanks to our midfield and Mata doing a great job of shutting them down, the supply to Sturridge was pretty much shut off, particularly when they went down to 10 men. Thus, Valencia didn't have as much trouble against Sturridge as he did against Sanchez, for example.
On the ball, though, he was very reliable and calm. For someone so right-footed, he really is excellent at keeping the ball, controlling it, maintaining possession, and passing it into space. I was also very happy with how disciplined he was, overall. His reliability on the ball is a big reason as to why he starts regularly.
I still don't think he can be a regular right back as he will be exposed against good-quality teams, but he's quite a reliable option to have for many matches.
Unless we have absolutely World class top drawer players in every position which of course is possible with luck and insane spending, I think Valencia has proven to be an excellent prospect at Right Back.
Yes, his defensive awareness may be suspect and you'd expect him to make 1-2 mistakes per game but the truth is almost all players make mistakes every game and that's why we have a team to cover up. He is disciplined, technically very sound if not fanciful, strong, pacey, does what he is told, able to get out of tight spots and able to put in an offensive shift. I think his defensive awareness can be improved and if anyone can do that it is LVG.
Yes, his defensive awareness may be suspect and you'd expect him to make 1-2 mistakes per game but the truth is almost all players make mistakes every game and that's why we have a team to cover up. He is disciplined, technically very sound if not fanciful, strong, pacey, does what he is told, able to get out of tight spots and able to put in an offensive shift. I think his defensive awareness can be improved and if anyone can do that it is LVG.