Antonio Valencia has sustained a hamstring injury and could now face up to four weeks on the sidelines, according to Sir Alex Ferguson.
The news has filtered through from Fergusonโs post-match press conference, following tonightโs 2-0 win at Ajax in the Europa League and has now been confirmed by Unitedโs official site. Valencia came off the bench to play a major part in his sideโs second goal, sustaining the injury in the process. He was immediately replaced on 86 minutes.
While the injury will come as a major blow to United, the timing does at least coincide with the return to fitness of both Ashley Young and Nani. Young started tonightโs tie and opened the scoring with a smart finish as United outclassed their Dutch opponents in the second period. Nani was also in Fergusonโs starting lineup.
For Fantasy managers, Valenciaโs absence would pose a problem with no automatic switch available. Valencia has been in sparkling form since his return to the fold and has attracted a steady flow of investment. His Fantasy Premier League (FPL) price has risen from a low of 7.8, to 8.3, as a run of 10 assists in 11 league games led to a significant increase in ownership. Those recent investors now face losing Valencia for a spell that will see Unitedโs fixtures improve markedly โ potentially losing out on continued returns.
Owners of Wayne Rooney will also be concerned โ Valenciaโs supply line has been hugely profitable for United of late and Nani and Young will need to step up to fill the void. It will be interesting to see if Unitedโs goal output suffers, once deprived of Valenciaโs quality.
Those now in the market for a replacement will likely prefer to look to Nani rather than Young โ his price has fallen to 9.9 following injury but thatโs still a significant jump from Valenciaโs sale value. Nani may also take several matches to adjust back to the pace and we shouldnโt forget that he had scored just a single goal in seven league games prior to his recent absence.
Tom Cleverley also presents an intriguing alternative. He, too, returned to the United first XI in Holland tonight and, if he can establish a starting role in midfield, offers a cheap route to Unitedโs attacking potential at just 5.1 in the FPL.
Cleverley was replaced on 61 minutes by Paul Scholes in this eveningโs game and, like Nani, will likely need time to adjust back to the pace of matters. Should he show signs of form and regular starts, however, Cleverley could see increased investment as a result of Valenciaโs spell on the sidelines.
