Valencia breaks his arm; Darmian deputises

Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia is to undergo surgery on Saturday after fracturing an arm.

The 31-year-old has played an important role for Jose Mourinho’s side this season, making 11 appearances in all competitions.

However, Valencia was absent from United’s squad facing Burnley on Saturday after the club confirmed the right-back has fractured an arm.

The official club Twitter feed posted: “Antonio Valencia has a fracture in his arm and will have surgery today”.

Matteo Darmian is starting on Saturday in place of the Ecuador international, who joins fellow defenders Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling on the sidelines through injury.

“They were the three players that start almost every match in the Premier League and now we lose all three in the same period,” manager Jose Mourinho told broadcasters.

“But that’s football and it’s an opportunity for others to play. We trust Darmian and we trust Marcos Rojo to have a positive influence.”