Injured Man United defender Valencia vows to come back stronger

A fractured arm has not bogged down Manchester United right-back Antonio Valencia who has vowed to "come back stronger" after surgery on Saturday.

The Ecuadorian suffered the injury during Wednesday's English Football League (EFL) Cup victory over Manchester City and he duly missed the EPL draw against Burnley on Saturday, when Italy full-back Matteo Darmian inherited his place in the starting XI.

Valencia's injury is a particular blow following his excellent start to the season under new head coach Jose Mourinho, but the 31-year-old has admirably retained a positive attitude amid the setback.

"Now thinking only in recovery," Valencia told www.manutd.com on Sunday. "I want to come back soon and help my team. I'll come back stronger and always optimistic."

This is not the first time that Valencia has had to fight back from a broken bone in his eight-season career with the Reds.

The former Wigan Athletic star famously suffered a fractured ankle and significant ligament damage during a Champions League encounter against Glasgow Rangers in September 2010, but miraculously recovered to make his return in March before starting the Champions League final in May.

The club is yet to officially confirm how long Valencia will be unavailable.

--IANS

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