Valencia reveals United nerves

Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia says the team are still worried they could let Manchester City back into the title race.

Roberto Mancini’s side closed the gap at the top of the table to 12 points after winning the Manchester derby clash 2-1 at Old Trafford on Monday, courtesy of goals from James Milner and Sergio Aguero.

And Valencia feels that even though United remain in the driving seat, they are now starting to look over their shoulder, acknowledging the club need to take maximum points from their next two games, against Stoke and West Ham, to put any doubts to bed.

“We’re a little worried. It has already happened to us,” Valencia told Ecuadorian radio station Sonorama.

“Last year, having eight points with seven games to go we lost the league, and now we have seven games, 12 points and we don’t want this to happen again.

“We want to finish off the two games that are coming as soon as possible, starting off in the right way and ending up victorious.”

Valencia admitted he was disappointed only to feature for 10 minutes as a late substitute during the defeat to City and he is growing frustrated with his lack of action recently.

“They are the manager’s decisions (to make), but I was still a bit upset,” he said.

“In such an important game, to be not taken into account as a starter is upsetting.

“Ten minutes is very short for such a tight, difficult game. The important thing is to come on and play, but yeah, you become restless waiting for the next game and wanting to play 90 minutes.”