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MAN UTD`s ANTONIO VALENCIA TO MISS MOST OF SEASON
Baku, September 16 (AZERTAC). Manchester United`s Antonio Valencia will miss "a good portion" of the season after being injured in Tuesday`s Champions League game against Rangers, according to the BBC.
The winger, 25, suffered significant ligament damage, plus a fractured ankle and underwent surgery on Wednesday.
Despite claims from an Ecuador team doctor about Valencia`s mental state, the Old Trafford club insisted the former Wigan star remained optimistic.
"He is perfectly fine, positive and determined," a United statement read.
The Premier League club said the operation had been a "success", revealing that a plate had been inserted into Valencia`s ankle to stabilize the fracture and there was "obvious significant ligament damage that follows a dislocation".
Valencia was carried off during the goalless draw with the Scottish giants after going down under an innocuous-looking tackle from Kirk Broadfoot in the 62nd minute.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson compared the severity of the injury to that suffered by former United player Alan Smith, who broke his left leg and dislocated his ankle in an FA Cup tie against Liverpool in February 2006.
Smith was out for seven months, which if repeated with Valencia, would keep the winger out until April.