Jaume Domènech, goalkeeper
Third-choice goalkeeper at the start of the season, first choice until last weekend when Nuno took the baffling decision to leave him out of what he already knew was his last ever game as coach. A youth teamer who replaced the injured Diego Alves and summer signing Matty Ryan and has been their outstanding performer this season.
Gaya, full-back
Last season’s revelation as a dynamic, quick and creative full-back surging up the left, Gaya made it into the Spain team and was chased by Real Madrid, but his level has dropped significantly, much like most of his team-mates. Now has two full-backs in the Neville brothers to guide him, even if neither were as attacking as he likes to be.
Shkodran Mustafi, centre-back
As the player with the focus and the personality to lead Valencia’s defence, Mustafi is vital. Strong in the air, quick and quietly imposing. Also has experience in England, at Everton.
Dani Parejo, midfielder
Coaching staff consider him the key man when it comes to Valencia playing well not so much for what he can do with the ball, although he provides assists and occasional goals too, but because of what he allows others to do, playing the right pass to the right man and at the right time.
Álvaro Negredo, striker
Nuno’s public conflict with Negredo was one of the reasons for the deterioration in the coach’s relationship with his players. Neville’s handling of the striker will be scrutinised. If Neville can get Negredo back in the team and scoring goals once more it will go a long way to helping the side recover, both emotionally and in terms of performance on the pitch.
Gary Neville played against Valencia on four occasions
8 Dec 1999 Man Utd 3 Valencia 0
21 Mar 2000 Valencia 0 Man Utd 0
14 Feb 2001 Valencia 0 Man Utd 0
20 Feb 2001 Man Utd 1 Valencia 1
