Man Utd news: Antonio Valencia has ‘major worries’ with Jose Mourinho plan

Red Devils chief Jose Mourinho recently suggested the Ecuadorian was not fit to play.

However, the versatile full-back has been away with his national team and found the net in Friday’s 2-0 win over Peru in a friendly.

The Sun say the former Wigan man jetted off for international duty with grave concerns about his standing at the club.

Valencia has publicly claimed Mourinho’s decision to omit him from the team is ‘tactical’.

“Right now I haven’t been playing, but it’s more of a tactical decision,” the 32-year-old said.

“The player who has been in my place (Ashley Young) has been playing well.

“You have to respect the decision.”

With Mourinho seemingly on the ropes last month, Valencia liked an Instagram post calling for him to be sacked.

However, he says he has no problem with Mourinho and will battle back into first-team contention.

“The only thing I can do is prepare and be ready for when he (Mourinho) needs me and be in the right condition to compete,” he added.

“I’m calm right now and I know I’ll get an opportunity to play again.

“The relationship with Mourinho has always been a good one.”

Valencia isn’t the only defender who could be packing his bags in the new year.

Reports last week suggested Mourinho is also ready to ditch both Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo as he looks to free up room for a top central defender.

Spurs’ Toby Alderweireld and Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar have been linked.

Bailly is reportedly concerned he has lost the trust of his manager.

He has been left out of the 18-man squad for all of United’s last three Premier League outings – including the derby defeat to Manchester City.

United, meanwhile, have offered Ashley Young an extension to is deal which is up in the summer.

They are looking to tie the 33-year-old down until 2021.

Luke Shaw recently committed his future to the club by penning a five-year deal worth a reported £150,000 per week.