Ex-Man United star Antonio Valencia urges Erik ten Hag to sign ‘humble’ Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo after the Red Devils expressed their interest during the summer window

Antonio Valencia has urged Manchester United to sign Brighton star Moises Caicedo, after the Red Devils expressed interest in the midfielder this summer.

The ex-United captain has backed his Ecuadorian compatriot to continue taking the Premier League by storm, having impressed since joining Brighton in February 2021.

Although Caicedo was initially eased in by former Seagulls manager Graham Potter, he quickly became an integral part of the south coast side and has since attracted plenty of interest in the transfer market.

The 20-year-old flaunted his talents during Brighton’s 4-0 victory against Manchester United in May and was equally impressive on the opening day of the season when Erik ten Hag’s side lost 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Valencia, who played for United between 2009 and 2019, told Studio Football:  ‘Hopefully Caicedo can go to a big team in England.’He is a humble boy; he was born to be great and hopefully he can come to Manchester United.’ 

Brighton were reluctant to let go of the young midfielder this summer having already waved farewell to Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella, who left to join Tottenham and Chelsea respectively.

Manchester United keenly pursued Barcelona playmaker Frenkie de Jong during most of the summer and turned their attention to Caicedo once the deal collapsed.

The Red Devils were instead able to lure Real Madrid star Casemiro at central midfield in a blockbuster deal worth £60million.