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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirms his permanent Manchester United captain

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Antonio Valencia has struggled for game time this season (Getty Images)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that Antonio Valencia will remain Manchester Uniteds captain despite his limited appearances for the club this season.

The 33-year-old has suffered from calf and knee injuries at different points of the season but has still found first-team football hard to come by when fit, playing just seven games in total.

Valencias most recent appearance was in the 2-1 Champions League defeat to Valencia this month but he hasnt featured in the Premier League since the 1-1 draw with Wolves in September.

Solskjaer has used both Ashley Young and Diogo Dalot in the right-back position during his first two games in charge, but he hinted that Valencia could be recalled to the side when fully fit.

Antonio is the captain. When he is properly fit and playing, he will wear the armband, Solskjaer said ahead of Uniteds game against Bournemouth on Sunday.

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Hes going through a couple of tough sessions to get him ready for the busy period. Theres not many better right backs going forward.

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Solskjaer named Young captain during Uniteds 5-1 win over Cardiff in his first game in charge and then handed the armband to David De Gea for the game against Huddersfield on Boxing Day.

Nevertheless, Valencia, who is approaching a decade of service at Old Trafford, looks set to retain the armband until the end of the season, when his current contract is due to expire.

Valencia was originally signed from Wigan Athletic as a right-winger but in recent seasons has made the right-back position his own, winning Uniteds Player of the Year from that role in 2016-17.