When it comes to transfer dealings, Sir Alex Ferguson is king. He may have had the odd flop or two but the list of players he has signed that have gone on to turn out good is one to admire. The latest one to join this list is Antonio Valencia. When Alex Ferguson decided to pay nearly £16million for the Ecuadorian winger, many people thought the wily old fox had become a little senile in his old age. They couldn’t have been more wrong.

In just over half a season at United, Valencia has already scored more goals than he did in his 3 seasons at Wigan and has chipped in with 8 assists for United. Anybody who watched him terrorise the West Ham defence in United’s 3-0 win will have seen just why Ferguson spent that much money on him.

Having been signed as a replacement for Ronaldo, Valencia has wasted no time in becoming a popular figure among the United faithful. Although he may not have the goal-scoring prowess of his predecessor, he certainly provides better service for his team-mates than Ronaldo ever did. The nature in which he volleyed a pin-point cross on to Wayne Rooney’s head for United’s first goal was sublime. He then highlighted the ease in which he can beat defenders and still have the instinct to pick out a team-mate. Yet again, Rooney was the man waiting for his dinner.

Not only does he provide better service from the wing, he is also a tireless worker and has probably covered more ground defensively than the World’s most expensive player ever did.

People may say United are missing Ronaldo. In my opinion they are not at all. Wayne Rooney has stepped up and proved that he is just as good, if not better, than Ronaldo. United’s problem this season has been defensively. Sir Alex Fergusons men have already conceded as many goals in the Premier League this season as they did all of last year.

The fact that they have scored just two goals less than their tally last season is testament to the fact that Ronaldo has not been missed. Given that they also still have 10 games left surely means that they will beat that total this year. In the 2007/08 when Ronnie scored 31 goals United averaged 2.11 goals per game. This season they are currently averaging 2.36 per game. Proof?

There might be many fans who still wish they could see Ronaldo and Rooney together but, given the evidence, the acquisition of Valencia in place of the Portuguese winger has proved a wise choice. In Valencia United have a team player and a man who not only beat his man, but provide an inch perfect cross as well. For me, the transfer of Valencia will go down as one of the Scot’s finest.

Did we really ever doubt his judgement?