Antonio Valencia to miss Manchester United's US tour
Last updated on .From the section Football
Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia will miss the club's pre-season tour of the United States to receive treatment on his ankle injury.
The 25-year-old Ecuadorian picked up the injury during the Copa America.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "We have the facilities back at Carrington. That is the best place for him."
United won their first tour match 4-1 against New England Revolution in Boston on Wednesday night.
Valencia picked up the injury in Ecuador's first Copa America group match against Paraguay, and while Ferguson does not believe the problem is serious, he is sending the player back to Manchester.
"He wasn't going to be taking part in the rest of Copa America, so there is no point in him coming out here if he is injured," Ferguson said.
Valencia made only eight starts in the Premier League last season after fracturing the same left ankle and suffering ligament damage during the Champions League group match against Rangers last September.
Ashley Young, who will compete with Valencia for a place in United's starting line-up, made an impressive first start in a United shirt as the Premier League champions scored four against a New England team managed by former Liverpool and Scotland defender Steve Nicol.
"His capabilities are such that he can play at wide left, he can play in behind the strikers and he can play wide right," Ferguson said of Young.
"He showed tonight he's a fantastic crosser of the ball. I think he hit three fantastic crosses in the game, which maybe isn't something we're used to with the way we play. But if we do get used to it then there's goals there. I was very satisfied."
After a goalless first half, Michael Owen opened the scoring with a low shot, from a Michael Carrick pass. Carrick then set up Italian striker Federico Macheda for the second.
New England pulled a goal back from Kenny Mansally, before Macheda restored United's two-goal advantage in the 61st minute.
Park Ji-sung sealed the victory with United's fourth goal in the 81st minute, following a Ryan Giggs pass.
United striker Wayne Rooney was happy after United's first game since the Champions League Final defeat by Barcelona in May, saying: "It's always difficult in your first game. It's a different pitch to play on. Overall, I was pleased."
United now travel to Seattle ahead of their next tour match on Wednesday. They will play the city's Sounders team, who are captained by former Millwall and Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Kasey Keller.
