Manchester United: Antonio Valencia's Long Journey Back to Relevance

While Manchester United fan favorites Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney have been getting loads of praise for their recent performances, Antonio Valencia hasn't received the same attention.

Frankly, Valencia will never be as beloved to United fans as Van Persie and Rooney, but his consistently solid performances this year surely deserve praise, regardless of his past struggles.

After his swashbuckling displays on the right flank in the 2011/12 season, he was named United's player of the season, and the ex-Wigan man looked to be on his way to big things. 

Following that impressive season, where he totaled 13 assists in EPL action, per WhoScored.com, Valencia was handed the famed No. 7 shirt, following in the footsteps of David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. It seemed Old Trafford might've had its next star on its hands.

But it was not meant to be.

Valencia's formed dropped, and fans seemed to be increasingly annoyed with the flaws in his game. While he constantly worked hard for the team, the Ecuadorian's end product always seemed to be lacking, there was no semblance of a left foot and he seemed unable to produce the bits of skill and flair that a winger is ought to.

He finished the 2012/13 with a measly five assists, and with his two feet back on the ground. Prior to the 2013/14 season, he was merely a role player and situational starter for United, and he made the humbling switch back to the No. 25 number. 

In a September 2013 club website article, he admits he played better with the No. 25 on his back than with the No. 7:

"

I played well wearing that shirt so I think it was a decision I came to in the summer. Maybe if I can get back to the form I showed before, why not? It is a good idea to start wearing it again.

"

Perhaps Valencia's 2011/12 season was a bit fluky. Perhaps the No. 7 shirt put too much pressure on him. Whatever the case, the No. 7 on Valencia's back raised expectations to an exceedingly high level, setting heights for him he was unequipped to reach.

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After a modest 2013/14 campaign, with his assist numbers dropping to three and his completion of only 0.9 dribbles per game, Valencia looked to be given a lifeline under new manager Louis van Gaal, who favored a 3-4-1-2 formation early on. Valencia's speed, high work rate and still existent attacking ability set him up for a berth at right wing-back, where his defensive attributes would be given a chance to show more often.

Early on in the season, a number of obstacles quelled Valencia's return to the starting lineup. Van Gaal ditched the three-man defense after a few games, and Rafael da Silva returned from injury. Once again Valencia was on the outside looking in, until Rafael hurt himself once again, on October 26 vs. Chelsea. 

Since then, Valencia has acted as United's makeshift right full-back (and wing-back when a three-man defense is used), and he has made the most of his opportunity. He has started every game of United's current six-game winning streak.

His pace and attacking ability remain—he delivered a wonderful cross to set up Wayne Rooney vs. Liverpool— but he has gone from an attacking midfielder with underwhelming attacking ability at times to a sturdy full-back with the ability to surge forward.

On the season, he's averaging a robust 3.8 tackles and 1.8 interceptions per game respectively, proving he is nothing resembling a liability at the back.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

To be fair, Valencia hasn't turned into Philipp Lahm overnight; his experience as a right-back is relatively limited, and his positioning leaves something to be desired on occasion. 

With that said, however, Valencia has probably been one of United's most consistent performers, and his quick and impressive transformation to an "attacking defender" of sorts has enamored fans and made it tough for Louis van Gaal to drop him.

All stats and info via WhoScored.com