Valencia captained United on the pitch for most of last season

Antonio Valencia will be Manchester United’s club captain next season following the retirement of Michael Carrick.

José Mourinho, the United manager, confirmed after his team’s first pre-season tour match — a 1-1 draw with Club America — that Valencia will skipper the team when he plays next term.

It is a role that Valencia is used to. He stood in for Carrick as skipper for most of last season as the former midfielder was unable to play due to a minor heart problem.

“The captain was Valencia last season [when Carrick did not play] and I think he’s going to be the captain [this season],” Mourinho said.

“When he doesn’t play, we have to make decisions. It depends on who is on the pitch. If