• FA Cup

Valencia apologises to Manchester United fans

ESPN staff
March 11, 2015
Van Gaal: The players are disappointed

Antonio Valencia has issued an apology to his Manchester United team-mates and their fans after his errors helped condemn them to defeat against Arsenal in the FA Cup.

Valencia took to Instagram to say sorry after he was at least partly culpable for both goals in Arsenal's 2-1 victory at Old Trafford on Monday. Right-back Valencia came infield in a failed attempt to stop Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and left Nacho Monreal unmarked to score Arsenal's opener.

And his under-hit back-pass was intercepted by former United striker Danny Welbeck when he scored the winner to end Louis van Gaal hopes of bringing silverware to Old Trafford in his first season at the club.

"I want to apologise to my team-mates and the fans of Manchester United," Valencia wrote on Instagram. "Tomorrow is another day and keep working."

Valencia, described as "the best man on my team" by Van Gaal, mentioned United colleagues Marcos Rojo, Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, Rafael da Silva and Robin van Persie in the message, although only Rojo and Herrera actually played in the Arsenal game.

Rafael, who is a rival to Valencia for the right-back spot, then stepped up his case for a place in the team by scoring for United's Under-21s against Tottenham on Tuesday.

Antonio Valencia gave the ball away for Danny Welbeck to score Arsenal's winner at Old Trafford © Getty Images
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