The Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, in a virtual press conference after the historic 9-0 victory his team achieved over Southampton on Wednesday in the 22nd round of the Premier League, confessed how difficult it has been to find a replacement for the right-back position left by Antonio Valencia when he left the club in mid-2019 to join Liga de Quito.
Solskjaer acknowledged that the right side has been a 'challenge' for them in recent years and that they have not found a player with the qualities of Valencia for that position.
“I think the right side has traditionally been a challenge for us in recent years. We haven't found a right winger or a right-back who fills the void left by Antonio (Valencia) when he left (in 2019),” said the manager of the Red Devils.
The Norwegian remembered the "Amazon Train," but also highlighted the great performance of his current fullbacks. "They were brilliant. Aaron (Wan-Bissaka) kept getting into the far post and Luke (Shaw) kept sending crosses, as we asked him to do. I think they played well."
Valencia arrived at Manchester United in 2009, playing ten seasons with the club and becoming the only South American to wear the captain's armband.
In the current season, United is in second place in the English league with 44 points, surpassed by Manchester City with 47 points. (D)