Manchester United have been dealt a blow with the news that Antonio Valencia will face up to five months on the sidelines after undergoing foot surgery, according to the Metro.
The Ecuadorian international has been competing for the right-back slot with new signing Matteo Darmian this season, but sustained an injury during the recent 0-0 draw with cross-city rivals Manchester City in October (via Metro).
Though the 30-year-old has not quite lived up to expectations at Old Trafford, the Metro report that he remains one of Louis van Gaal’s most trusted players.
Defensive injuries are now starting to mount up for the Dutchman, who has already lost Luke Shaw for the majority of the campaign (via Metro) and a report in The Sun has suggested that Valencia may not be available again until April following surgery to repair a bone in his foot.
The Sun also claims that Valencia may not have realised how serious the injury initially was and could have damaged it further by playing through the pain.
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