Antonio Valencia's rocket against Everton has been confirmed as the overwhelming winner of Manchester United's Goal of the Month for September.
The Ecuadorian's effort was undoubtedly worthy of winning the award, as his emphatic half-volley from 20 yards flew into the top corner and set the Reds on the way to a convincing 4-0 win over the Toffees at Old Trafford last month.
In a poll conducted on ManUtd.com, the right-back's thunderbolt earned him a staggering 83 per cent of the final vote – ahead of Aidan Barlow's cool finish for the Under-19s against CSKA Moscow (eight per cent) and Arnau Puigmal's sublime free-kick for the Under-18s against Newcastle (four per cent).
In a poll conducted on ManUtd.com, the right-back's thunderbolt earned him a staggering 83 per cent of the final vote – ahead of Aidan Barlow's cool finish for the Under-19s against CSKA Moscow (eight per cent) and Arnau Puigmal's sublime free-kick for the Under-18s against Newcastle (four per cent).
An award-worthy strike
"What a superb goal from Antonio, it is the goal of the season so far."
It has not only picked up one award but won a double after scooping the Carling Goal of the Month for the best overall Premier League strike in September. On the goal, Valencia said:
Valencia, who has started and captained United in eight of the 11 matches so far this term, has begun the season in the same fine form in which he ended the last campaign and has helped Jose Mourinho's men enjoy an impressive start to 2017/18 in all competitions.
“It's a goal that I am proud of. I just hit it into the back of the net and then heard the crowd erupt at Old Trafford. It was a great feeling and it gave us the start we needed against Everton, we came away with three points which ended the day perfectly.”
Valencia, who has started and captained United in eight of the 11 matches so far this term, has begun the season in the same fine form in which he ended the last campaign and has helped Jose Mourinho's men enjoy an impressive start to 2017/18 in all competitions.
He was one of the Reds' star performers during a successful 2016/17, as his consistent displays saw him voted as the Player of the Month on three occasions by United fans on Twitter, before being recognised by his team-mates with the Players' Player of the Year award.
Valencia follows in the footsteps of Paul Pogba, who claimed the August prize for his stunning chipped effort against Swansea, which was the third goal in United's comfortable 4-0 victory at the Liberty Stadium.
Valencia follows in the footsteps of Paul Pogba, who claimed the August prize for his stunning chipped effort against Swansea, which was the third goal in United's comfortable 4-0 victory at the Liberty Stadium.