Winger Antonio Valencia is likely to take up a more defensive role in Manchester United's new-look 3-4-1-2 formation this season that utilises a back three flanked by two 'wing-backs'. In times of defensive crisis, Valencia has been deployed at the back before, and occasionally played right-back last season during Rafael's lengthy lay-off. That worked to limited success however and Valencia's place is on the right-wing, but even there he has put in some mixed performances. The word I'd use to sum up the Ecuadorian's last two campaigns is 'indifferent' with his delivery from the flanks often poor and his goal-threat small. You could argue Valencia has never been the same player after breaking his leg in a Champions League clash with Rangers four years ago and he seems to have lost a yard of pace. His rating of 83 in FIFA 14 seemed to us overly generous and after another poor season that saw the South American score twice and provide just three assists, it would seem remiss to keep him at such a lofty level. Don't be surprised to see Valencia downgraded to 80 in the new instalment. PREDICTED FIFA 15 RATING: 80
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
