valencia out 4 a seas0n

ANTONIO VALENCIA is out for the season
after dislocating and fracturing his left
ankle as Manchester United made a dismal
start to their Champions League campaign.
The Ecuador winger, 25, needed oxygen as he
was carried off following an innocuous-looking
challenge from Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot.
United boss Alex Ferguson said: "I'm afraid it
looks really bad. He will be operated on and it's a
bad blow.
"It is a similar injury to the one Alan Smith got
when he was with us so we are looking at
Valencia being out for the rest of the season.
"We knew it was bad when the Rangers players
started waving over to the bench."
The injury was so serious that Sky Sports
decided not to show a replay of the incident
during the game.
Valencia's nightmare overshadowed Wayne
Rooney's return to the United side as Alex
Ferguson made 10 CHANGES to the side which
drew 3-3 at Everton on Saturday.
But the new-look Red Devils could find no way
through against a well-drilled defence.
Fergie added: "We were not short of players out
there to win a game of football.
"The criticism will be that I did not play a stronger
team - but I played a very strong team.
"Eight of them played against Chelsea in the
Charity Shield, they should have won that game.
"We played with a great intensity throughout and
dominated in terms of possession but did not
make a chance.
"Rangers' system was hard to break down and I
do not think if I had played other players it would
have made any difference."
Gers boss Walter Smith said: "Everyone seems
concerned with United's team tonight but I wish I
had that problem.
"Any of their players out there would get into 80
per cent of the other Premier League teams.
"It is always easier to defend something than to
create something but that is the only choice left
for us now.
"UEFA have allowed this situation to develop but
small punchers cannot compete.
"We have virtually no chance of winning the
Champions League.
"We restricted United to very few chances and
I'm delighted with that. I'm proud of how my
players performed."
United skipper Rio Ferdinand, returning after a
long-term knee injury, said: "Rangers set their
stall out to defend and nick a goal and respect to
them for that.
"It was just great to be back out there and
playing. I cannot wait for the next game against
Liverpool."