Fergie: Valencia needs more games

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says Antonio Valencia is still not 100 per cent despite his stunning strike at Aldershot on Tuesday.

The Ecuadorian international scored and impressed for United as they strolled to a 3-0 win over Aldershot in a Carling Cup clash.

However, Ferguson will treat Valencia with care as his United team look to bounce back strongly from Sunday's 6-1 derby drubbing at the hands of Manchester City.

Valencia missed out on a large chunk of the 2010/11 campaign following a serious ankle injury sustained against Rangers in the UEFA Champions League.

He also got injured whilst on Copa America duty for Ecuador in the summer.

"I had a chat with Antonio yesterday," Ferguson told MUTV after the 3-0 win in the Carling Cup.

"He, himself, says he's needing games.

"He was a long time out and has been back but probably needs another few games. Tonight was another one."

United were two goals up against Aldershot thanks to goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen. Valencia added a third and final goal for the visitors with the first attack of the half with a 20-yard piledriver.

First-team debutant Michael Keane also shone for the Reds in Tuesday's win.

Reserves boss Warren Joyce had praise for the18-year-old defender, who came off the bench at Aldershot, to become the fourth player to make his United bow in this season's competition.

"Michael has had a really good season," Joyce told ManUtd.com.

"I can't remember him having a bad training session, let alone a bad game.

"He's a consistent kid who works very hard."