Antonio Valencia, a Manchester United legend who admitted he would drop everything to return to Old Trafford, has offered new manager Michael Carrick advice on how to manage one of his star players. The Ecuadorian icon was a regular presence on United's right wing, amassing 339 appearances during a trophy-filled decade at the club between 2009 and 2019.
The 40-year-old retired in 2021 with 99 international caps and now works as a pundit for Telemundo Deportes, a Spanish-language broadcaster owned by NBC Sports. Ahead of Ecuador's opening World Cup fixture on Monday, Valencia praised Ivory Coast star and United player Amad, tipping the electrifying 23-year-old to thrive under former teammate Carrick – if deployed as a right-back.
Valencia's Advice on Amad
"I like what Amad is doing as a right sided defender," Valencia told Hajper. "He is a strong player, and he tries to attack with a lot of intelligence. As the years have gone by, he has kept improving his way of playing. Now, under Carrick, I think it can be a very good season for him."
"He is a player who is very passionate about Manchester [United]. He has been at the club for a long time and those are the kinds of players [they] need."
Valencia's confidence in the winger was swiftly justified – though at Ecuador's cost – when Amad came off the bench to score a dramatic late winner as Ivory Coast secured a 1-0 victory in their opening Group E fixture. Ecuador hit the frame of the goal three times in Philadelphia but failed to break the deadlock before the United forward, who joined from Atalanta in 2021, decided the match with a 90th-minute strike.
Message to Carrick
Valencia also took the opportunity to send a message of encouragement to Carrick, who was officially confirmed as permanent United boss last month after a productive interim spell in which he guided the club back into the Champions League through a third-place Premier League finish.
"I sent him a message wishing him success," Valencia told Hajper. "Carrick is someone I respect and care about a lot. I wished him success as a coach, and I think it has gone well for him."
"Things have worked out and it makes me happy that he is going into another season on the bench." When asked whether he would consider reuniting with Carrick as part of the coaching staff, Valencia responded: "Yes, I would go back. Manchester United is a club that gave me so much. My family was very happy there. I would work for Manchester United in any role, out of passion. It is a club I love a lot."
