Antonio Valencia set to be made Man Utd club captain

Antonio Valencia will take over from Michael Carrick as Manchester United‘s captain ahead of the 2018-19 Premier League season.

Valencia wore the armband for most of United’s campaign last season with Michael Carrick nursing injuries on the sidelines.

With Carrick retired and taking a position on Mourinho’s coaching staff the armband will be worn by the Ecuadorian for the foreseeable future, Mourinho confirmed during United’s pre-season tour in the United States.

“The captain was Valencia last season, and I think he’s going to be the captain,” Mourinho said (via the Independent). “When he doesn’t play, we have to make decisions.

“It depends on who is on the pitch. If [Chris] Smalling is, Ashley Young is, if (Ander) Herrera is or (Juan) Mata is, if they are on the pitch they have an option.”

Mourinho said that Nemanja Matic also has the attributes to skipper his side, but the Portuguese tactician doesn’t seem to place much stock on the armband anyway.

“[Nemanja] Matic has all the attributes to be Manchester United captain, but he arrived only one year ago.

“But I never care much about the captaincy, I care more about the life in the dressing room and the leaders. The armband means what it means.”

Man Utd drew 1-1 with Club America in the first game of their pre-season tour. Their next game is against A.C. Milan at the Rose Bowl on 26 July.

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