Source: Eurosport
Valencia shuns Ronaldo comparisons
Antonio Valencia is determined to be his own man and not try to become Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo mark II.
While Ronaldo is still attracting all the headlines as he starts the job of proving he was worth the world record £80million fee Real Madrid paid United for him, Valencia has made a somewhat lower key following his £17million move to Old Trafford.
The Ecuador star said: "I don't make any comparisons between myself and Cristiano. Obviously Cristiano did very well here but, when I had my first conversations with Manchester United, it was never said I was coming here as a replacement for him."
He added: "What I want is to make sure I do my own job and concentrate on the things I do well. That is the main thing for me because I have a real desire to be a success here."
History suggests Valencia will be compared to Ronaldo until such point as he begins to carve out his own niche in United history.
Earning a Premier League title in his first season would be a start, particularly as it would be a fourth on the trot for United, a feat never previously achieved in English football history.
Certainly the form Valencia showed at the back end of last season suggests he can make a major impact, with none of the Portugal superstar's histrionics either.
"When a club that big shows an interest in you, it motivates you to really work hard," he said. "That is what I did and I will continue to do so."
At a time when United are being snubbed in favour of life in Madrid, it is telling Valencia opted to stay in England rather than try his hand at the Bernabeu as initial speculation suggested, but - despite his Latin background - Valencia insists he has no aching desire to make it in Spain like Ronaldo.
"I love it here," he said. "I love life in England and I love the football. When I was a kid I always dreamed of playing in a league that was this good. I am delighted to have the chance and so far the Premier League has been great for me."
