Antonio Valencia was a Manchester United stalwart during his decade at Old Trafford
Antonio Valencia
Antonio Valencia is keen to return to Man United and work alongside Michael Carrick
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Antonio Valencia says he would drop everything to return to Manchester United and link up once more with former teammate Michael Carrick. The Ecuadorian was a familiar presence at Old Trafford throughout his decade at the club between 2009 and 2019.
Valencia, who retired in 2021 after amassing almost 500 career appearances, is currently working alongside some of football's most prominent pundits at the World Cup. He has joined Telemundo Deportes, the Spanish-language broadcaster operating under the NBC Sports Group umbrella.
While [he appreciates the chance to share his expertise](http://antonio valencia manchestereveningnews) as part of the channel's punditry panel for the tournament, there is one role he wouldn't think twice about - joining forces with Carrick, with whom he shared a dressing room for nine years in Manchester.
Carrick was formally appointed as United's manager last month following a successful interim period in which he steered the club back into the Champions League and secured a third-place finish in the Premier League.
"I sent him a message wishing him success," Valencia told Hajper. "Carrick is someone I respect and care about a lot. I wished him success as a coach, and I think it has gone well for him.
"Things have worked out, and it makes me happy that he is going into another season on the bench."
Antonio Valencia and Michael Carrick
The pair shared the dressing room at Old Trafford
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When quizzed on whether he would consider joining Carrick in Manchester, the 40-year-old added: "Yes, I would go back. Manchester United is a club that gave me so much.
"My family was very happy there. I would work for Manchester United in any role, out of passion. It is a club I love a lot. I think everything they are doing is going well."
"But if they called me, I would go running."
Should he secure his dream position at Old Trafford, Valencia would enjoy the support of numerous United fans, considering his standing as a club legend.
The former Reds skipper featured 339 times and netted 25 goals in a United shirt, amassing a collection of silverware throughout his tenure. This comprised two Premier League titles, several domestic cups and a Europa League trophy.
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