Valencia wins Goal of the Month
Antonio Valencia's stunning strike against Stoke City has been voted Manchester United's Goal of the Month for January by supporters.
The right-back, who was returning to the side against the Potters after four games out with a hamstring injury, marked his comeback in style by opening the scoring with a screamer in the Reds' 3-0 victory at Old Trafford.
He collected Paul Pogba's pass in the right channel just outside the penalty area, before cutting inside and unleashing a superb bending drive past Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland. It was something of a collector's item, as our research suggests it was the first time he has ever scored for the Reds with his left foot.
The competition for January's best strike was one of the tightest battles for the fans' accolade we've ever had, as Valencia narrowly came out on top in a poll conducted on ManUtd.com with 23 per cent of the final vote.
Jesse Lingard's sublime effort against Everton came second (21 per cent) and Anthony Martial's fine finish against Stoke was a close third (20 per cent). Lingard's wonder goal against Derby County (15 per cent) and Martial's clinical strike against Burnley (nine per cent) also received votes to make up a top five.
It's the second time this season that Valencia has won Goal of the Month after claiming the September prize for his thunderbolt against Everton – the first of the Reds' goals in a thumping 4-0 victory at Old Trafford.
In fact, his emphatic volley against the Toffees scooped a hat-trick of awards in total, as it was also voted the Premier League's Goal of the Month for September and United's Goal of the Year for 2017.
Having also netted the opener in December's impressive 3-1 win at Arsenal, Valencia has three goals to his name already this season – more than the previous three seasons combined.
Congratulations Antonio and thanks to everyone who voted.
More: You can watch Valencia’s award-winning strike in the media player above.