Source: PA
Fletcher backs Valencia to come back
Darren Fletcher is confident Antonio Valencia will still have a big future at Manchester United.
Valencia was in hospital on Wednesday morning having an operation to reset his ankle after he suffered an horrific injury during Tuesday night's Champions League draw with Rangers at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson has already admitted he does not expect Valencia to be available for the remainder of the season and likened the injury to that which Alan Smith suffered in similarly freakish circumstances against Liverpool in 2006.
Arguably Smith has not been the same player since. But, as he came to terms with watching Valencia being carried off on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask to ease the pain, the gruesome sight so bad Sky did not show a replay of the incident itself, Fletcher is holding out more hope for the Ecuador star.
"It looked really bad," he said. "Hopefully the scans show it is not as bad as we fear.
"After arriving from Wigan he had a great first season and was looking to push on this year. That is why the injury is a real blow. But he is a strong character and a good lad. He will be back I am sure."
