Manchester United manager David Moyes believes the improvement in Antonio Valencia’s form is down to the change in his squad number.
Ecuadorian winger Valencia had been given the iconic number seven shirt at the start of the 2012/13 season but has switched back to his old number 25 shirt this season.
Moyes speaking at his weekly Friday press conference said: “He’s done very well; he kept telling me that he needed to change his number, so we got that changed for him.”
The United number seven shirt has been worn by club legends such as; George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo and now the shirt carries much expectation.
Valencia had what many considered his worst season in a Manchester United shirt last season scoring only once in the entire campaign. The winger had won the fans player of the season award after the 2011/12 season before switching to number seven.
“A shirt number can psychologically affect players some players.” Claimed the United boss.
Moyes now believes the pressure has been lifted and as a result the Ecuadorian’s form has improved.
“He’s got off to a good start, I spoke to him today and I told him he should be aiming to score seven or eight goals this season.”
Valencia has already equalled his goal scoring tally from last season after scoring against Bayer Leverkusen in United’s 4-2 win on Tuesday night.
Fans will hope that the winger returns to his form from two years ago where he scored 6 goals and created 14, if so it will feel like a new signing for the reds.
Image courtesy of BBC via YouTube, with thanks.
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