A loyal servant he may have been, but there isn’t too much doubt that Antonio Valencia’s time at Manchester United is coming to an end. At 33 years of age, the Ecuadorian wouldn’t have been at the club past this season in any event, given that his contract is due to end then, but as it is, strong rumours continue to circulate that Valencia could be on his way to Inter in January. Ostensibly played as a right-back in these later years of his career, he did nevertheless lose that position to another 33-year-old in Ashley Young. Whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, or his replacement if there is to be one, see either player as anything more than squad players going forward is unlikely, which means that there is a vacancy on the right-hand side of United’s defence. Diogo Dalot is still only 19 years of age, and his sporadic performances to this point suggest that the club don’t yet feel he is ready to step into the position and do it justice. With there no obvious standout candidate in the squad at this point, the Red Devils will have to go shopping. But who would they purchase, because you can count on the fingers of one hand the type of players that would fit United’s particular criteria? Clearly, whomever were to take over the role would need to be energetic enough to religiously get up and down the right-hand channel all game, with particular emphasis on the defensive aspects of the job of course. An understanding with the midfield is a must as is the pre-requisite of having superior crossing ability. And that’s not all. The new incumbent has to be the right age, not too young and not too old, and have experience of playing at an elite level club. Step forward Nelson Semedo.