Valencia: Sidelined again

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Valencia glad for lesser injury

Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia is begrudgingly happy to only be out of action with a hamstring injury and not something much worse.

Valencia, who 17 months ago fractured and dislocated his ankle along with suffering ligament damage, pulled up on Thursday night during United’s 2-0 UEFA Europa League win at Ajax Amsterdam.

The 26-year-old has been one of the Red Devils’ standout performers this season and his recent injury setback couldn’t have come at a more importune time for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

But the Ecuador international believes being sidelined for four weeks is far better than his previous ordeals.

“After my last injury experiences I feared the worst,” he told The Sun.

“I was anguished but after tests the medical staff have confirmed a muscle rupture in the hamstring. It’s important but not grave - I should be back in a month.

“I am angry because it has happened at such a key moment in the season for United. I have developed and played some good matches and that’s the worst consequence of all this.

“But now the doctors have calmed me down and I have to recuperate and then help the team in our race to win the Premier League and Europa League.”