Wigan boss Martinez: Man Utd winger Valencia as effective as Ronaldo
Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez has hailed the impact Antonio Valencia is making at Manchester United.
Martinez, the Wigan manager who rubber-stamped Valencia's £16million move to Old Trafford last summer, believes United aren't missing Cristiano Ronaldo so much because the Ecuadorian winger has brought a new dimension to the champions.
Martinez said: "You will never replace like for like in terms of Cristiano Ronaldo but what Antonio brings to the United side is as effective as what Ronaldo used to do for them.
"In Ronaldo you are talking about the most stylish player in world football. He is so pleasing on the eye and you can't replace that but Antonio is as effective as Ronaldo in a very different way. Look at the way he has contributed this season.
"Tactically he has really developed his game in the short time he has been at United - his knowledge is now on a different level and he has stepped up his game in a big way.
"From an early age he has looked after himself on the pitch. For instance he was playing for Villarreal and Ecuador from a young age. Once he is on the pitch he is very arrogant in the right way. He is a great professional, he is a real team player."
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Results & Fixtures
Matches
| Home | Away | Score | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat Feb 18th | |||
| Getafe | Espanyol | - | 17:00 |
| Real Madrid | Racing Santander | - | 19:00 |
| Sevilla | Osasuna | - | 21:00 |
| Real Zaragoza | Real Betis | - | 23:00 |
| Sporting Gijón | Atlético Madrid | - | 23:00 |
| Levante | Rayo Vallecano | - | 23:00 |
| Granada | Real Sociedad | - | 23:00 |
| Barcelona | Valencia | - | 23:00 |
| Athletic Club | Málaga | - | 23:00 |
| Sun Feb 19th | |||
| Getafe | Espanyol | - | 00:00 |
| Real Madrid | Racing Santander | - | 00:00 |
| Sevilla | Osasuna | - | 00:00 |
| Real Zaragoza | Real Betis | - | 00:00 |
| Granada | Real Sociedad | - | 11:00 |
| Athletic Club | Málaga | - | 15:00 |
| Sporting Gijón | Atlético Madrid | - | 17:00 |
| Mallorca | Villarreal | - | 17:00 |
| Levante | Rayo Vallecano | - | 18:45 |
| Barcelona | Valencia | - | 20:30 |
| Mon Feb 20th | |||
| Real Zaragoza | Real Betis | - | 20:00 |
Tables
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 22 | 19 | 1 | 2 | 54 | 58 |
| Barcelona | 22 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 47 | 48 |
| Valencia | 22 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 13 | 40 |
| Levante | 22 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 32 |
| Espanyol | 22 | 9 | 5 | 8 | -1 | 32 |
| Atletico Madrid | 22 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 31 |
| Malaga | 22 | 9 | 4 | 9 | -4 | 31 |
| Osasuna | 22 | 7 | 10 | 5 | -9 | 31 |
| Athletic Club | 22 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 30 |
| Rayo Vallecano | 22 | 8 | 4 | 10 | -5 | 28 |
| Real Sociedad | 22 | 7 | 6 | 9 | -5 | 27 |
| Getafe | 22 | 7 | 6 | 9 | -7 | 27 |
| Sevilla | 22 | 6 | 8 | 8 | -4 | 26 |
| Real Betis | 22 | 8 | 2 | 12 | -6 | 26 |
| Villarreal | 22 | 6 | 8 | 8 | -7 | 26 |
| Mallorca | 22 | 6 | 7 | 9 | -9 | 25 |
| Granada | 22 | 7 | 4 | 11 | -14 | 25 |
| Racing Santander | 22 | 4 | 11 | 7 | -8 | 23 |
| Sporting Gijon | 22 | 5 | 4 | 13 | -23 | 19 |
| Real Zaragoza | 22 | 3 | 6 | 13 | -20 | 15 |
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Comments (9)
Rooney delivering the goods ... lolz.
thanks to Ronaldo, poor Rooney had to move out of position for him. thats why his goal count all these years was low. like SAF said ... and Ronaldo himself ... he hasn't gotten much better ... fact is that he is being used in a correct way now. he was always great!
Dubious at first but have to say SAF was spot on and he is delivering the goods! Lets hope he doesn't do another Nani and have a good first season then go off the boil!
http://www.thewrestlinggame.com/wg.asp?w=13455
Valencia was the best replacement available for Ronaldo, but Ronaldo can´t be equally replaced at the wing. At least Rooney is stepping up.
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