Apr 24 2011, 08:42 PM
QUOTE
Antonio Valencia wants to win the Premier League and erase the memory of the horror injury he sustained on Manchester United duty.
Valencia spent six months on the sidelines after dislocating his ankle in the Champions League encounter with Rangers at Old Trafford.
As the South American was stretchered off, requiring oxygen to ease his obvious pain, it was feared he would not play again this season.
However, by following medical advice, Valencia was able to return in the middle of last month.
And although the former Wigan man accepts he still has some work to do in order to rediscover his best form, he has still turned in a series of excellent performances in United's pursuit of silverware.
The 25-year-old created the winner for Javier Hernandez against Everton at Old Trafford yesterday which means United now require just seven points from four games to clinch a record 19th league title.
And for Valencia, that would be adequate compensation for what he has been through.
"It would be brilliant to win the league," he told United Review. "On a personal level, to lift the title for the first time would be the perfect way for me to cap my recovery from injury.
"It is something I have set my sights on."
Valencia is still three games short of making the 10 appearances needed to qualify for a medal automatically.
As United are currently combining their title quest with trying to reach the Champions League final, it is not certain Valencia will reach that number.
However, given the length of his absence, the Premier League would almost certainly sanction a medal being awarded to the Ecuador star.
"All injuries make you feel a little bit down at first, but I had the support of so many people it was easy to keep my spirits up," he said.
"My comeback has gone pretty well considering how bad the injury was.
"But I still need to work on a few areas before I am back to how I was before."
Valencia spent six months on the sidelines after dislocating his ankle in the Champions League encounter with Rangers at Old Trafford.
As the South American was stretchered off, requiring oxygen to ease his obvious pain, it was feared he would not play again this season.
However, by following medical advice, Valencia was able to return in the middle of last month.
And although the former Wigan man accepts he still has some work to do in order to rediscover his best form, he has still turned in a series of excellent performances in United's pursuit of silverware.
The 25-year-old created the winner for Javier Hernandez against Everton at Old Trafford yesterday which means United now require just seven points from four games to clinch a record 19th league title.
And for Valencia, that would be adequate compensation for what he has been through.
"It would be brilliant to win the league," he told United Review. "On a personal level, to lift the title for the first time would be the perfect way for me to cap my recovery from injury.
"It is something I have set my sights on."
Valencia is still three games short of making the 10 appearances needed to qualify for a medal automatically.
As United are currently combining their title quest with trying to reach the Champions League final, it is not certain Valencia will reach that number.
However, given the length of his absence, the Premier League would almost certainly sanction a medal being awarded to the Ecuador star.
"All injuries make you feel a little bit down at first, but I had the support of so many people it was easy to keep my spirits up," he said.
"My comeback has gone pretty well considering how bad the injury was.
"But I still need to work on a few areas before I am back to how I was before."
Source
This guy have the spirit!
although in my personal opinion he's not good enough compared to the moment before the injury, but he work so hard to really back in form...just look at him in Everton's game...one thing i realized he always wait for the ball to come to his feet so defenders can easily intercept his ball...else, he still the man that always give defenders headache...just my opinion...
Chicharito salutes United team ethic
QUOTE
Manchester United hitman Javier Hernandez has identified determination and work rate as the traits that saw them beat Everton 1-0 on Saturday.
For most of the match, United looked to be heading to a second straight draw, with Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard in inspired form.
United also struggled to break down the partnership of Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka at the heart of the Everton defence.
However, Hernandez, as he has done on many occasions in his debut season, popped up with an important goal in the 83rd minute to give United a hard-earned victory, and more importantly, three valuable points.
Speaking after the game, Hernandez stressed the importance of persistence, having already been denied twice by brilliant saves from Howard, before he found the breakthrough.
"There was a little bit of frustration but you need to keep going in the next play, and the next, and the next," Hernandez said on MUTV.
"You can't stay there only thinking 'I missed it', you need to be ready for the next one."
Hernandez was also quick to draw attention away from himself, instead choosing to salute United's work ethic.
"For 90 minutes we kept going and kept going because we wanted the goal, wanted the three points as soon as possible."
"We keep going, keep working and it was a difficult day also because it was hotter and that made us a little bit more tired."
"But the history of Manchester United is like this - we can score in the first minute and also the last minute."
With United facing Schalke in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday, as well as two potentially pivotal clashes against Arsenal and Chelsea in the next two weeks, Hernandez insisted United had only been focused on Everton before Saturday's game.
"It's the only thing we have in our mind and thankfully we got it [the win]."
"It's unbelievable because we know the importance of these three points because we need to get all the points we possibly can."
Hernandez admitted the next fortnight would be extremely crucial for his team, and stressed the importance to put the team ahead of their individual selves.
"This is the key part of the season, we have Schalke then the two games against Arsenal and Chelsea."
"It doesn't matter who scores."
"We think always that the team is the most important thing."
"We don't need to be selfish and think only of scoring."
Hernandez has been a relevation in his first season at Old Trafford, with his winner against Everton being his 19th of the campaign, a significant contribution from a player who only cost Sir Alex Ferguson a reported £6million.
For most of the match, United looked to be heading to a second straight draw, with Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard in inspired form.
United also struggled to break down the partnership of Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka at the heart of the Everton defence.
However, Hernandez, as he has done on many occasions in his debut season, popped up with an important goal in the 83rd minute to give United a hard-earned victory, and more importantly, three valuable points.
Speaking after the game, Hernandez stressed the importance of persistence, having already been denied twice by brilliant saves from Howard, before he found the breakthrough.
"There was a little bit of frustration but you need to keep going in the next play, and the next, and the next," Hernandez said on MUTV.
"You can't stay there only thinking 'I missed it', you need to be ready for the next one."
Hernandez was also quick to draw attention away from himself, instead choosing to salute United's work ethic.
"For 90 minutes we kept going and kept going because we wanted the goal, wanted the three points as soon as possible."
"We keep going, keep working and it was a difficult day also because it was hotter and that made us a little bit more tired."
"But the history of Manchester United is like this - we can score in the first minute and also the last minute."
With United facing Schalke in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday, as well as two potentially pivotal clashes against Arsenal and Chelsea in the next two weeks, Hernandez insisted United had only been focused on Everton before Saturday's game.
"It's the only thing we have in our mind and thankfully we got it [the win]."
"It's unbelievable because we know the importance of these three points because we need to get all the points we possibly can."
Hernandez admitted the next fortnight would be extremely crucial for his team, and stressed the importance to put the team ahead of their individual selves.
"This is the key part of the season, we have Schalke then the two games against Arsenal and Chelsea."
"It doesn't matter who scores."
"We think always that the team is the most important thing."
"We don't need to be selfish and think only of scoring."
Hernandez has been a relevation in his first season at Old Trafford, with his winner against Everton being his 19th of the campaign, a significant contribution from a player who only cost Sir Alex Ferguson a reported £6million.
Source
What else can we say about this guy?
Debut season in PL but already bang 19!
another goal-scoring machine?
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