Antonio Valencia says he would run back to Manchester United to join Michael Carrick's staff

Antonio Valencia has said he would not hesitate to return to Manchester United in any capacity, expressing an open desire to work under Michael Carrick after the former midfielder was officially appointed as the club’s manager last month.

The Ecuadorian, who spent a decade at Old Trafford between 2009 and 2019, made his feelings clear in an interview with Hajper while working as a pundit at the World Cup. “If they called me, I would go running,” Valencia said. “Manchester United is a club that gave me so much. I would work for Manchester United in any role, out of passion.”

Valencia and Carrick shared a dressing room for nine years in Manchester, and the 40-year-old has kept close tabs on his former team-mate’s managerial progress. “I sent him a message wishing him success,” Valencia said. “Carrick is someone I respect and care about a lot. Things have worked out, and it makes me happy that he is going into another season on the bench.”

Carrick was confirmed as United’s permanent manager following a successful interim spell in which he guided the club to a third-place Premier League finish and back into the Champions League.

Valencia retired from playing in 2021 after amassing almost 500 career appearances. His time at United produced 339 appearances and 25 goals, along with a significant haul of silverware that included two Premier League titles, the Europa League, and several domestic cups. He also served as club captain, cementing a status at Old Trafford that would give any potential return considerable goodwill from supporters.

For now, Valencia is channelling his football knowledge into punditry, having joined Telemundo Deportes’ panel for the World Cup. Whether that role eventually gives way to a coaching position at his former club remains to be seen, but Valencia has left little doubt about where his heart lies.