Antonio Valencia sends new message to fans ahead of Manchester United legends match

Former Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia has sent a message to the United fans ahead of Saturday's legends game.

Valencia will be returning for the match against a Liverpool legends team which will raise money for the Manchester United Foundation, a charity that works to improve the lives of young people in the city. Now 36 and retired from football, Valencia made 339 appearances for United and is relishing returning to Old Trafford.

Speaking to the Foundation, Valencia said: "I am very happy to have been invited by the Foundation to come back to Manchester and contribute myself to the cause. I have good memories of going to the hospitals visiting children and giving back to the community with the Foundation and I am very happy to be able to contribute again.

"United does a great job through its Foundation giving a lot of opportunities to many kids who otherwise wouldn't have an opportunity to get involved with the Manchester United players or attend a game at Old Trafford thanks to the Manchester United Foundation. It's been three years since I was last in Manchester and I am looking forward to seeing all the fans again.

"I'm in shape, I have an academy over here where I'm playing a lot. I hope I don't get too tired too soon and I am able to run all over the pitch again.

"I have been in contact [with Ji-sung] Park, [Patrice] Evra, Anderson and other former players. I am really looking forward to [seeing some of my teammates] again, wear the shirt like we used to and win important games such as this.

"Every season one or two weeks before the [Liverpool] game the fans used to focus on Liverpool already and would ask you to win the game. We have had many difficult fixtures against them and we are looking forward