Antonio Valencia will be back at Old Trafford next year, according to reports from Ecuador.
The right-back has left the Red Devils at the end of his contract this summer, and now playing for LDU, he should have a testimonial match for Manchester United.
The friendly has been revealed by the LDU director Esteban Paz. This is claimed to be Valencia’s farewell from Old Trafford after getting the status of a ‘legend’ by the club.
“The party belongs to Antonio: the income, the box office,” Paz told El Comercio. “Liga will handle the whole external theme. This is the most important product associated with the Antonio Valencia brand. From now on, we’ll start building Antonio’s farewell party at Old Trafford.”
It’s claimed that the official date and announcement will all be handled by Manchester United.
El Comercio also spoke to Juan Carlos Ogun, who’s said to be Valencia’s ‘commercial representative’. He says that the choice for LDU was made by the player himself, and Manchester United’s answer was positive.
“They replied: Against Liga, our rival in the World Cup of Clubs in 2008? Of course, yes,” says Ogun.
Manchester United faced LDU in Yokohama in 2008. The Red Devils got the title after beating the Ecuadorian side 1-0, with the goal scored by Wayne Rooney.
Antonio Valencia joined Manchester United six months later, in a £17m move from Wigan Athletic. He made 339 appearances and scored 25 goals for the club.
