Manchester United extend defender’s contract by 12 months

Manchester United have announced they have triggered a clause in the contract of Antonio Valencia to extend his stay by a further 12 months keeping him at the club until at least 2018.

Valencia, 31, has been one of United’s most consistent performers this season under Jose Mourinho and the Premier League giants have moved to secure his future for at least another season.

United were heavily linked with a move for Monaco defender Fabinho in the summer as Mourinho seeked to reinforce the right side of his defence but Valencia’s performances has made the need to address that area less pressing.

Valencia has spent the last eight years with United after joining from Wigan in 2009 and is on course to securing his best WhoScored rating (7.23) in a league campaign since the 20011/12 season (7.51).

Only Hector Bellerin (29) has completed more dribbles in the Premier League of all defenders than Valencia this season (28).

For more stats on Antonio Valencia, click here to visit his WhoScored player page