Valverde scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid won 3-0 for the first-leg of their Champions League round 16 tie.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The midfielder said afterwards: "We had practiced a lot when we took goal kicks, knowing they would press man-to-man. We knew there would be space at the back and we have fast players up front.
"We took full advantage of it."
On his goals, Valverde also said: "The coach asks me to arrive from the second line and attack. Today we had more players to keep possession in midfield and I tried to attack much more... I was given incredible passes.
"We know that matches in Manchester are very difficult; in the return leg we have to approach it as if it were a goalless draw."