Manchester United Under-21 boss Warren Joyce has termed goalkeeper Victor Valdes a model professional and said that the Spaniard’s team talk before last night’s Under-21 clash against Liverpool left his team-mates in awe of him.

The former Barcelona custodian joined the Red Devils earlier this month on a free transfer and made a winning start to his Manchester United career with a 2-1 win over Liverpool Under-21s last night.




But Joyce said that it was something that Valdes did before the game that truly left his team-mates in awe of the three-time Champions League winner, who took a leaf out of former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola's book.

The World Cup winner played a video of American athlete Dick Hoyt and gave a speech in the dressing room to inspire his team-mates.
 


For years Hoyt pushed his paralysed son in a wheelchair while contesting marathons, triathlons and other endurance events.  

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"The lads are in the room listening to this", Joyce told the BBC. "It was unbelievable.

"I was going to do something but Victor said ' Guardiola used to do this'.

"He's a very humble guy and a model professional."

Valdes faces a tough time cementing a spot in Louis van Gaal's first team, with David de Gea number 1 between the sticks.

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