Valencia extends contract till 2018

Valencia has established himself as Jose Mourinho's first-choice right-back and has now been rewarded with an extended stay at United.

The 31-year-old is a key figure at Old Trafford, making 271 appearances, scoring 21 goals and winning six trophies since signing from Wigan in 2009.

A statement from the club read: "Manchester United have confirmed a clause has been triggered to extend Antonio Valencia's contract by one year, keeping the experienced Ecuadorian at Old Trafford until at least June 2018."

"I tried to sign Antonio a number of years ago, when I was at Madrid," Mourinho told MUTV earlier this season.

"Even though he was not playing right-back at the time, I thought he could be phenomenal in that position.

"As it was, United told me 'no chance!'. I am not surprised by his form this season."