A former Manchester United legend who admitted he would “love” to return to Old Trafford has offered former team-mate Michael Carrick a word of advice on one of his star players
Former Manchester United star Antonio Valencia believes Amad Diallo can shine under former team-mate Michael Carrick(Image: Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
A Manchester United hero who admitted he would drop everything to return to Old Trafford has offered new boss Michael Carrick advice on how to handle one of his star players. Ecuadorian legend Antonio Valencia was once a familiar sight charging up and down United’s right flank, racking up 339 appearances during a trophy-laden decade at the club between 2009 and 2019.
The 40-year-old retired in 2021 with 99 international caps to his name and now works as a pundit for Telemundo Deportes, a Spanish-language broadcaster owned by NBC Sports. Ahead of Ecuador’s opening World Cup clash on Monday, Valencia lavished praise on Ivory Coast star and United star Amad, backing the electric 23-year-old to flourish under former team-mate Carrick – if played as a right-back.
“I like what Amad is doing as a right sided defender,” he 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.
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“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 faith in the winger was quickly vindicated – albeit at Ecuador’s expense – 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 match. Ecuador struck the woodwork three times in Philadelphia but were unable to find a breakthrough before the United forward, who joined from Atalanta in 2021, settled the contest with a 90th-minute sucker punch.
Valencia also took the time to share a message of support for Carrick, who was formally appointed as permanent United manager last month following a successful interim period in which he steered the club back into the Champions League via a third-place finish in the Premier League.
“I sent him a message wishing him success,” he 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 be open to teaming up with Carrick again as part of the coaching set-up, Valencia replied: “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.”
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2026-06-16 10:45:57
