Manchester United club captain Antonio Valencia will leave this summer after an option to extend his current contract expired this evening.
According to the BBC, Valencia will search for a new club at the end of the season after recognising his career at Old Trafford is all but over.
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The Ecuadorian international has made just nine first-team appearances this season, and is currently nursing a calf problem.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was asked about Valencia’s future in Friday’s press conference ahead of United’s home game against Southampton.
He’s still not 100% fit, still working to get back fit and he’s had a fantastic career here at Manchester United and England,” Solskjaer was quoted by Manchester Evening News.
“One of the Premier League winners left in the dressing room but I’m not sure if Manchester United and Antonio will agree on the next year so it depends if he gets back on the pitch in the next few months but he’s the captain, great servant to the club so hopefully I can get him on the pitch and show what he can do.”
Valencia has had a memorable time at Old Trafford since signing from Wigan almost 10 years ago. He has played 240 times for United, initially occupying the right-wing position where he briefly wore the famous number 7 shirt before adapting to right-back.
However, Valencia’s powers have gradually faded in recent years, and United will now look to the future with youngster Diogo Dalot and Ashley Young competing for the right-position.
