Antonio Valencia Injury: Updates on Manchester United Ace's Hamstring and Return

Updates from Sunday, Nov. 2

Antonio Valencia is starting today, Manchester United confirmed:

Updates from Monday, Oct. 26

Antonio Valencia is not available to play today, Manchester United confirmed:

Updates from Monday, Oct. 20

Antonio Valencia is not available to play today, Manchester United confirmed:

Original Text

Manchester United's already lengthy injury list has earned another entry in the form of veteran winger Antonio Valencia. The 29-year-old Ecuador international has reportedly tweaked his hamstring.

That's according to Mail Online reporter Simon Jones:

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Antonio Valencia is the latest player to join Manchester United's injury list.

The Ecuador winger has tweaked a hamstring and, although the injury is not too serious, it is expected to rule him out of Monday's game at West Bromwich Albion.

The 29-year-old is understood to have picked up the strain during United's win over Everton where he was replaced after 79 minutes by Marouane Fellaini.

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Valencia's loss may not be devastating to United, but it could pose some squad problems for manager Louis van Gaal. The experienced wide man is a valuable utility player who can play wing, central midfield and even right-back.

That level of versatility would certainly help cover some of United's current and widespread injury woes. Even as a substitute, Valencia offers Van Gaal the ability to have depth in place at more than one stretched position.

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The Red Devils' resources appear thinnest in defence. Van Gaal is anxious for players such as Chris Smalling and Phil Jones to return from the treatment table, especially since centre-back Jonny Evans is also laid low, per Daily Mirror reporter David McDonnell.

It doesn't help that even youngster Paddy McNair hasn't been able to avoid the injury bug, per Daily Star writer Colin Harvey. Valencia might only be insurance, but Van Gaal could certainly use some right about now.

However, even if he were fit and called upon, it's debatable how much help Valencia would be. His defensive chops aren't great, no matter how many times he's used as an emergency full-back.

There also isn't an obvious place for him in midfield, at least not in Van Gaal's 4-4-2 diamond formation. More centralised players, such as new signings Ander Herrera, Daley Blind and Angel Di Maria, will be counted on in the middle.

Even forgotten schemer Juan Mata could be used, depending on which strike pairing Van Gaal chooses up front from the trio of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Radamel Falcao.

Valencia really is out in the cold at the moment despite signing a new three-year deal in April. But he has appeared in just five games since Van Gaal took over, per ESPN FC.

Lefteris Pitarakis/Associated Press

His injury is one more setback for United's already threadbare squad and another blow in what is proving to be a disrupted year for the player.