Manchester United full-back Antonio Valencia has vowed to work hard in his recovery from a broken arm and come back 'stronger' as he looks to get back on the pitch as soon as possible.
After suffering the fracture against Manchester City in the EFL Cup win on Wednesday night, Valencia was forced to undergo surgery and was on the operating table on Saturday as his team-mates faced Burnley in the Premier League without him.
Matteo Darmian filled in at right-back in the 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.
Taking to social media on Sunday night and posting a video to his followers, the Ecuadorian international said: "Now thinking only in recovery. I want to come back soon and help my team. I'll come back stronger and always optimistic."
Now thinking only in recovery. I want to come back soon and help my team.
I'll come back stronger and always optimistic. pic.twitter.com/FZ8HTzCFhx
As yet, it remains unknown how long Valencia will be sidelined for. But the injury comes as a significant blow to the 31-year-old after a strong individual start to the season.
The former Wigan man, signed in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo's United exit in 2009, looks to have now completed the transition from winger to defender and was even nominated for the Premier League's Player of the Month award for August.
He now possesses the positional and general defensive awareness that he was perhaps lacking when first asked to play as a full-back, while a heroic, last ditch sliding tackle on Roberto Firmino helped United earn a draw against Liverpool earlier this month.
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