Antonio Valencia claims his absence from the Manchester United first-team is down to being dropped by Jose Mourinho.
The United manager suggested earlier this month that the club captain was injured and not fit enough to play.
But, while on international duty with Ecuador, the veteran defender claims his lack of minutes is down solely to his club boss.
'Right now I haven't been playing, but it's more of a tactical decision,' he told Area Deportiva in his homeland.
'The player who has been in my place (Young) has been playing well. You have to respect the decision.'
Valencia has not featured since the goalless draw with Valencia at the start of October.
He appeared to criticise Mourinho after the stalemate when he liked an Instagram post calling for the manager to leave Old Trafford.
But the 33-year-old is determined to prove his worth and force his way back into first-team contention when he returns to club duties.
'The only thing I can do is prepare and be ready for when he (Mourinho) needs me and be in the right condition to compete', he continued.
I'm calm right now and I know I'll get an opportunity to play again. The relationship with Mourinho has always been a good one.'
Valencia scored the opening goal in Ecuador's 2-0 friendly win over Peru on Thursday night.
whykallar
243
Valencia is not a leader, he was too fast to go on social media to speak negative about his coach's Jose Mourinho instead of standing by him, he's not s true Man U. and should leave, Jose was right for his action and i support Jose.
Ninocrown411
79
Jose in my opinion has LOST all the tactical an man management skills that made him successful an ‘special’ which now seems decades ago...Now he’s become seemingly anti-football with his constant complaining, excuses, criticism of media, fans even his own players which should only be done ‘behind closed doors’ He’s single handedly destroying players with elite abilities careers an if Woodward an UTD board don’t act fast, Jose will damage the club critically.....What player will want to come UTD seeing what clubs become! Valencia has ALL ways remained consistent an was outstanding player, before Jose was even manager (apart from injury) and looks set be another casualty of Jose’s managerial meltdown!
hiulmtyz
67
As we are humans we make mistakes the only advice I can give to Valencia is to apologise for the comment he liked on social media and that is that life goes on.