FORMER Ajax star Amin Younes was scared to play against Manchester United in the 2017 Europa League final because of Antonio Valencia.
Valencia captained the Red Devils to a 2-0 victory but left it to Wayne Rooney to lift the trophy.
But his presence in the United line-up alone was enough to give his side a psychological advantage before a ball was even kicked.
That’s because Younes admitted to his team-mate Andre Onana that he did not want to play against the former right-back because of the size of his arms.
Goalkeeper Onana recalled his chat with the left winger in an interview with DAZN.
He said: “In the tunnel, Amin Younes came to me. He was one of the most important players in our team at that time.
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“He was shocked by the size of the arms of his direct opponent, Antonio Valencia. He told me: ‘I can’t play against him’.”
Onana also admitted he was fearful ahead of the game and he believes that cost Ajax.
He added: “I played with a lot of fear. After the game I told myself that I would never be so afraid on the field again.
“I lost that Europa League final because of fear. We had already lost before the match was played.
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“During training I called Edwin van der Sar, I wasn’t feeling well. I said I didn’t want to play this final.”
Valencia built a reputation for his physical prowess with The Secret Footballer detailing an insight into his brute strength back in 2012.
He wrote that Valencia blocking one of his clearances felt like “being hit by the car”.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
