The Andy Gray Column: Manchester United's Antonio Valencia has been a shining light this season

IMPRESSED: Andy Gray

Sharethematch.com ambassador Andy Gray was talking exclusively to Mancunian Matters...

With the crowd reaction to Arsene Wenger’s substitution policy grabbing all the headlines from Manchester United’s clash with Arsenal – it hid one fact that I think needs airing – just what a good season Antonio Valencia is having.

I don’t know if you can say that he has played out of position for most of the season but he has had to fill in at right back quite often, and did so again at the Emirates at the weekend.

He has done it on many occasions and I think that Sir Alex Ferguson was obviously worried enough about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to reinstate him at right-back and take off his proper right-back.

And that is a measure of how much Sir Alex trusts and values Valencia, no matter where he plays on the pitch.

There is no doubting that Valencia ’s better qualities are further up the field.

He is a very good footballer and he works extremely hard and you really can’t question his work rate.

And I think that we often criticise people like Aaron Lennon and Theo Walcott for maybe not having an end product – but I think that Valencia probably has the best end product of any guy in the Premier League.

Time after time, when he gets into a good position, he will deliver a ball that has goal written all over it.

And those qualities, whether you stick him at the back or further up the pitch, are invaluable as United looks to get back on the top of the Premier League.

He is fast becoming a bit of an unsung hero at Old Trafford and could play a huge part in where the title ends up come the end of the season.

Andy Gray is an official ambassador for Sharethematch.com – Football’s Social Network. Available now for FREE online or at the App Store; http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/share-the-match/id450784289?mt=8