Park OUT, Valencia IN

We are set to lose Park Ji-sung for up to four weeks after he tweaked a hamstring in training before the Derby.

The 29-year-old South Korean has only just returned following his international involvement.

Park, who picked up his 100th cap against Japan, has since retired from international football to concentrate on his United career.

"We got a blow on Saturday morning with the news that Ji-sung Park did his hamstring on Friday afternoon in training," the boss explained to ManUtd.com. "It was very unfortunate because it was his last kick of the ball in training as well. We were really looking forward to having him back after being away for a month at the Asian Cup. He’ll be out for up to a month, which is a blow to us."

Defender Jonny Evans has had a scan on an ankle injury and could be out for a month also.

But on the other hand, Antonio Valencia is back training with the reserves. The winger faced ligament damage in an innocuous challenge during United's 0-0 Champions League draw with Rangers at Old Trafford in September.

"The good news is that Valencia started training with the Reserves on Saturday," added the boss. "So he’s on his way back and that will be a real boost to have him available for the run-in."

Valencia to make a comeback against Marseille at Old Trafford

Antonio Valencia, who got injured in the Champions League against Rangers is making progress to face Marseille at home.

United winger Antonio Valencia is returning to his full fitness and might face Marseille in the second leg of the knockout stage of Champions League against Marseille. After getting seriously injured against Glasgow Rangers in a Champions League clash in September 2010, Valencia is making good progress to return to professional football. He needed a surgery to repair the fracture and the ligament damage he suffered in that game. Watch the injury video of the strong winger by clicking here

Although the Equadorian will miss the first away leg in France which takes place on 23rd February, he is certain to play in the home fixture on 15th March. 

This is what the manager had to say: "He's making the progress exactly the way we thought. It's looking like the end of February or beginning of March." Sir Alex added "He should be back training in five to six weeks time, but given the extent of the injury, we'll give him more time to get into the full flow of things"

Rio Ferdinand recently tweeted about Valencia's progress  "I saw Valencia in the gym today...the guy throws the wieghts around like how I threw @RobbieSavage8 about! #strongestwingerinthegame #fact "

The month of March is very crucial for Manchester United. We face Chelsea on 1st March followed by Liverpool on 5th March and Marseille in the Champions League 10 days later. Valencia's name on United's squad sheet would definitely bolster United's attack and perhaps maintain our defeatless run.

Valencia's injury sidelines him for 5 months

The injury of the awesome right winger-  Antonio Valencia took place on 14th September, 2010; the D-Day for the Ecuadorian.

The immediate response of the injury was that it will keep Valencia on sidelines for the whole season if not more. After the surgery, which took place on 15th September, 2010 that is Wednesday, Manchester United has learnt that the injury is not as bad as previously known. Antonio Valencia "Tono" as his beloved Ecuodarian fans call him, is expected to make a recovery by February, 2010.

Antonio Valencia suffered a horrific injury. In the picture above, Chicharito is shown praying to the almighty before his debut kick off at Old Trafford.

It seems that God has heard all our Manchester United fantatic fans's request. Valencia IS making a speedy recovery. If things keep going on good for Tono, he may soon be making his comeback next year! Sir Alex Ferguson today (17/09/2010) said in a press conference at Carrington, that Antonio Valencia has had a successful ankle operation. A metal plate has been inserted in the ankle region and doctors are very happy with the way things are going on. Sir Alex also said it was a massive blow to his squad with a very important Liverpool game coming up on the weekend. Tono shall definitely be missed. Hope he comes on the scene very quickly.

Let's all cheer up and anticipate the winger's quick return.

Antonio Valencia suffers a major ankle injury against Rangers (Tribute Video)

Antonio Valencia maybe out for a few months as he injures his ankle again after an ankle operation in the Summer.

It doesn't look good at all for Antonio Valencia as he injured his left ankle again after undergoing an ankle surgery which kept him on the sideline for the US tour.

Apparently Sky Sports intentionally didn't show the replay again due to the nature of the injury. This goes to show how serious the injury is.

Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot who was the nearest player to Valencia while the injury occured, looked completely devastated on seing Antonio in grave pain. Perhaps he saw the ankle twist; it surely must have been a horrible horrible sight! Valencia immediately looked in pain and lied down on the ground while the players around him looked in shock and called for aid immediately.

A service to humanity, well done folks!

Valencia was supported by both the United as well as Ranger fans as he was applauded while leaving the pitch. It was a very sympathetic state for all the players as well as the fans, they would never want to come to a stadium and witness such a sad moment. But hats off off to the crowd for the immense support.

Valencia in some serious pain.

According to Sir Alex, it seems to be a fracture. That's the staff's first reaction. But he would surely be out for many weeks which would eventually turn into months.. Let's hope he doesn't join Owen Hargreaves on the long-term injury list.


God bless Antonio Valencia.

Tribute Video

UCL: Tactical Rangers manage a draw at Old Trafford

United had a  rather ordinary European night against Rangers

Javier Hernandez praise before Wayne Rooney and Darron Gibson kick off the 2010/11 Champions League Campaign

Wes Brown made a comeback against rangers from an minor injury

Fabio da Silva looked quite charged up front

Wayne Rooney fighting for the ball

Wayne Rooney looks on as the paramedics give aid to Antonio Valencia

A rather ugly football site, God Bless Antonio Valencia, Fergie says he's out for a "long" time.

Manchester United 0-0 Glasgow Rangers

Old Trafford

Yellow Cards: Giggs, McGregor, McCulloch.

It was a goal-less start to the dream Champions League campaign for Manchester United who were thoroughly frustrated by their British opponents Rangers.

Sir Alex Ferguson made a whooping 10 changes from the squad that drew at Goodison Park, Everton on the weekend. Tomasz Kuszczak was in goal for the entire game as Van Der Sar warmed the bench. Rio and Smalling started in the central defending role. Brown and Fabio Da Silva took on defending on the flanks. Valencia, Fletcher, Gibson and  Park featured in the Mid-field for United. Rooney and surprisingly enough: Chicharito were given the attacking role.  Giggs, Owen, Anderson and Macheda warmed the bench alongside the veteran Dutch goalie.

Hats off to Rangers who did some impressive defending and restricted United from having too many chances. Their defending was totally top class. Hats off to Walter Smith for having successfully planted and implementing working tactics to the Rangers squad. It all worked out well.

Not so good news for United - Valencia got injured in the second and the situation looks pretty bad at the moment. He was carried off the pitch on a stretcher while being oxygenated and was admitted to a nearby Hospital thereafter. It was a very sad moment for United who will lose a very valuable and explosive winger for months as Sir Alex said in an post-match interview.

Darron Gibson was the star of the night again with some impressive long range shooting - his trademark really! He seemed to had taken the role of Paul Scholes - especially when Giggs set him from the corner. Otherwise, a very confined attacking display from the Red Devils. Although they had the majority of the possession in both the halves, they were not allowed to take advantage of it, thanks to the awesome defending of the Rangers.

Giggs came on for Valencia and seemed effective while crossing the ball but couldn't link up with a player neatly.

The game was quite dull to be frank - thanks to the frustrating tactics played by Walter Smith's men.

Player Rating

Tomasz Kuszczak7.5
Rio Ferdinand 7 - made an easy comeback, nearly gave the possession away in the 1st half
Brown 7
Smalling 7
Fabio 6.5
Fletcher 7.5
Gibson 7.5 - Star of the game
Valencia 6.5
Park 6.5
Rooney 7 - looked good with accurate long passes but struggled in the attacking third
Chicharito 6 - needs more noroushing clearly!

Subs
Owen 5.5 - seemed pretty useless
Giggs 6 - his penalty appeal was valid Ref!
Evans N/A

MATCH DAY FACT
United got 6 "legal" extra minutes after the 90 minutes, they had the possession for about 80% of the time and yet couldn't score. Had it been last season, it might have been a different story!

Anyway, thanks for reading, wishing ANTONIO VALENCIA a quick recovery from the miserable injury!