Highly-Rated Manchester United Nigerian Right Back Names His Role Model (Not Dani Alves)

Promising Nigerian defender Matthew Olosunde has revealed that he idolizes Ecuador international Antonio Valencia and is hoping to model his game after the current Manchester United Player of the Year.

Valencia was a right winger when he joined Manchester United from Wigan in the summer of 2009 as replacement for Real Madrid-bound Cristiano Ronaldo, before he began his transition to a wing back during the 2011-12 season.

''Yes (Valencia), he is a real inspiration," Matthew Olosunde told the official website of Manchester United.

"Bombing forward but also being great defensively. I really look up to him.

''When I watch him play, I just think I appreciate he's a great player and a great marking point to reach for. He's a big guy and so strong.''

Olosunde has been compared to former Barcelona full-back Dani Alves by Duke University head coach John Kerr and the English media.

The 19-year-old was named in Manchester United's provisional squads for Premier League matches against Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur and traveled to London with the first team.

Igho Kingsley

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