Solksjaer Names Permanent Captain

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has announced that Antonio Valencia will remain Manchester United’s captain regardless of his limited appearances for the club this season.

Valencia has suffered from calf and knee injuries at different points of the season but has still found first-team football hard to come by when fit, playing just seven games in total.

The 33-year-old’s most recent appearance was in the 2-1 Champions League defeat to Valencia this month but he hasn’t featured in the Premier League since the 1-1 draw with Wolves in September.

Solskjaer has used both Ashley Young and Diogo Dalot in the right-back position during his first two matches in charge, but he hinted that Valencia may possibly be recalled to the side when fully fit.

“When he is properly fit and playing, he will wear the armband,” Solskjaer said ahead of United’s game against Bournemouth on Sunday.

Solskjaer named Young captain during United’s 5-1 win over Cardiff in his first match in charge and then handed the armband to David De Gea for the match against Huddersfield on Boxing Day.

Valencia, who is approaching a decade of service at Old Trafford, looks set to retain the armband until the end of the season when his existing contract is due to expire.