Manchester United's 4-0 win over Everton on Sunday looks a lot more comfortable than it really was, as three goals in the final 10 minutes put the visitors to the sword after things began to get a little uncomfortable for Jose Mourinho's men.
The Toffees threatened to equalise on a number of occasions with almost all of their good play coming down Man Utd's left flank as they tried to expose Ashley Young's attacking tendencies, but David De Gea was there when needed and Mourinho's substitutes proved too much for the tired defenders they came on to face.
If the left flank was a worry for Man Utd, the right was the opposite as not only did Antonio Valencia once again give a fine performance, but he gave his team the lead with a goal of the season contender inside the first five minutes.
On Sky Sports' Super Sunday after full-time, Antonio Valencia came in for praise from arguably the club's best ever right-back in Gary Neville as he summed up how Man Utd fans feel about the Ecuadorian who has come on leaps and bounds as a fullback having been asked to change his position under Louis Van Gaal.
He's been absolutely outstanding I have to say, for the last 18 months/two years.
I had doubts as to whether it could last for the long term, I thought it was more of a stopgap really until they signed a right-back, but he's the real thing.
He is a top right-back now, he's strong, quick, he supports the attack, doesn't make any mistakes, I mean, you think that ultimately he would get caught out at the back post when the ball is on the other side, that's when you lose you position, but he seems to find his position well.
I think now that United don't need to sign a right-back, when you think they signed Darmian as the right-back, Valencia is head and shoulders above him. I think the problem is on the other side at left-back where obviously Ashley Young was put under a lot of pressure, Blind has played there, Rojo's played there, Darmian and Shaw have played there.
They can't button that position down but Valencia at right-back has been absolutely fantastic.
Valencia's defensive positioning and decision-making have come on leaps and bounds, and many of the club's fans felt irked when he was not considered for the Premier League team of the year last season, but he was named Man Utd players' player of the year which shows his hard work is not going unnoticed by his teammates.
He has become one of the first names on the teamsheet and never lets the side down, this isn't new information, but public praise for Antonio Valencia is a rare thing so when it comes from someone like Gary Neville waxing lyrical about a right-back, it's bound to please those who agree.
The left-back issue is ongoing and will need to be addressed in the near future, but for the time being right-back is not a problem at all, and most fans of the club are of the opinion that the captain's armband suits the unit bombing up and down the right touchline.
