Ander Herrera has declared Manchester United s Antonio Valencia the world s best right-back, claiming that the Ecuadorian is as good as Juventus defender Dani Alves.
Valencia who was brought to United by Alex Ferguson in 2009 has been given a new lease of life at Old Trafford since Jose Mourinho took over as manager, carrying over his fine pre-season form into the Premier League campaign.
And Herrera has no doubts that the 31-year-old is now one of the club s most important players, adding that he believes something special is taking place at Old Trafford.
I know him and have always liked the way he plays, Herrera told MUTV. I think Antonio is one of the best right-backs in the world.
I know he s not a normal right-back because he used to play as a winger, but I think that, right now, he is the best right-back in the world, maybe with Dani Alves, because I like Dani Alves a lot.
When you have a right-back who is quick to defend and he is crossing maybe six or seven times a game, always or almost always successfully, then he understands football.
When I have the ball, I know that Antonio s always ready to receive it, always to give you one solution.
I think he s going to be very important this season. He has already been very important for the club, he has already been here seven years, but I think I told you at the end of the last season something good is being cooked and everyone wants to be part of that.
