Valencia not interested in personal praise

Ander Herrera raised some eyebrows when he described Manchester United teammate Antonio Valencia as the best right back in the world last week, but the Ecuadorian has poured cold water on those claims.

The 31-year-old has been a fixture in Jose Mourinho’s back four this season and helped United to successive Premier League clean sheets.

Having been converted from a winger though, Valencia is more focussed on team success than personal praise.

“I’m not interested in personal glory like that, not at all! Of course it’s really nice of Ander to have said that, but what I’m all about is just working hard,” said the former Wigan Athletic man.

“I’m grateful for Ander’s kind words but what I try and do is to simply work hard every day in training.

“I want to put a shift in for United, the team that I love. I always want to give everything for this team.”

Ander Herrera – Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

United, under Mourinho’s guidance, have a 100 per cent Premier League record after three games and sit third in the table, just one goal behind top-of-the-table Manchester City.

And Valencia has credited the new boss with instilling a new belief in the side.

“I think he’s given a really positive boost of confidence to the side and that can be seen out there on the field,” he added.

“Everyone is feeling confident, everyone wants the ball and that’s a very good sign. Everyone is running hard, showing good movement and reading our moves and build-up play, and that’s important too.”