Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia says former club Wigan Athletic will always be special to him.

The Ecuadorian left the DW Stadium in the summer of 2009 in order to move to Old Trafford, but still keeps an eye out for the fortunes of the Latics, who brought him to England from Spain's Villarreal.

"They'll always have a special place in my heart," Valencia told United Review. "I came here from abroad and I was taken in as one of the family from the first day.

"It was a real special group of players that we had in those few seasons there, and it was great to be a part of. I have only have gratitude and fond memories of my time there. I still speak regularly with Maynor Figueroa, who is a close friend of mine.

"I do look out for their scores. I know at the minute they're by no means out of danger, but they're working hard and they've picked up some decent results recently and let's hope they can get up there and be fighting for ninth or tenth place."