Preseason friendlies have rarely meant much in the past. At the very least, steps towards match fitness and without doubt a chance for clubs to make some easy money. For Manchester United’s supporters, though, this preseason has been a chance for damage assessment.

As quickly as players departed last season, dubious replacements have been found. Michael Owen has already proven as much as a man shooting Asian fish in a barrel can. Antonio Valencia must have been cursing the British Embassy in Ecuador that his debut was to come against a South American super-club rather than a Chinese, well, club.

Manchester United’s Audi Cup semifinal meeting with Boca Juniors in Munich surprisingly enough provided him with the perfect opportunity to show what he can do. Technical ability and physicality go hand in hand at a top Argentinean club just as they do at an English one—perhaps even more so than a German or Italian one.

Valencia slotted into Manchester United's right wing seamlessly. Pounding the touchline like a pumped-up Nani on steroids, he confidently assessed every decision. His debut was not that of a teenage prodigy like Rooney or Ronaldo, more that of a fully-formed, top-level player.

Like Kenny Rogers once said, “You have to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em.” Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney learned this valuable lesson during their time at Manchester United rather than from a bearded country singer.

Antonio Valencia seems to have already had it hard-wired into his brain somewhere along the line during his varied football education.

Every excursion from the wing presented a dilemma. Pass to safety? Swing in a cross? Run at him? No decision was taken hastily. Each proved to be correct.

Given the opportunity to set Rooney free on goal, Valencia duly obliged. When options dried up, he happily shifted the monkey. When the chance to take on Boca’s defense presented itself, he scored the winner.

The raw goal-scoring potency of Cristiano Ronaldo will perhaps never be replaced on Manchester United’s wings, but what Valencia brings is variety that Ronaldo never could. Whereas Ronaldo was at the sharp end of everything United did, Valencia seems content to be wherever he’s needed.

Defensive stability was happily surrendered while Ronaldo was doing what only he can. Valencia has brought back strength and doggedness. A brick wall for opposing wingbacks and a handful for opposing fullbacks.

An ability to cross is an accepted, essential attribute for a winger. During his days at Manchester United, Ronaldo modestly proclaimed to have changed the “definition” of a winger, and in doing so, changed United. Normal service will very soon be resumed. The responsibility for scoring goals is now firmly back with the strikers.

Valencia is essential to that.

As is Michael Owen. Nothing has really been learned this preseason for United fans, but reassurance has been provided. Not that United are still one of the best teams in Europe or that Tevez and Ronaldo have been adequately replaced. Faith has been restored that they can at least still compete.

Alex Ferguson was predictably less upbeat, stating that it was a dreadful performance but that he was satisfied with Valencia. It’s understandable that he may see it as too soon for back-slapping. Manchester United are more vulnerable than they have been for years; hitting the ground running is a must.

They now stand on the cusp of a season more unpredictable than any since the early 90s.

Perhaps Sir Alex is as uncertain as anyone.

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