I'm not sure it's that. It's not like he's trying to beat his man and failing. He just doesn't put in the attempt to do so. Now it may because he feels slower due to bulking up be can at at least try. He's also very predictable though, take away his right foot and his crossings laughable. Now it's as if he drives down the line holds it up and waits for Rafael to get into space so can cross it for him.
I'm no sports scientist, but I don't see how bulking up could make a player slower. All the worlds top sprinters have a fair bit of muscle
But they have worked their muscles to help them run faster. Athletes work out muscles that help them perform a certain tasks and do specific work outs to make the body stronger in a certain way. Like I said earlier though, even if Valencia lost some speed he won't even attempt to beat his man, so it's irrelevant if he's slower or not.
Different muscle fibres for strength and speed. Too much of one harms the other - sprinters have lots of muscles to be fast, but would get shrugged off in a challenge. Very hard to achieve both at once, which is why so many strikers either specialise as being fast or being strong and powerful. Tho' like Mano says that can't be the whole problem - something seems to be wrong with his confidence too.
On current form, Hernandez deserves to start. VanPersie might have got a bit complacent knowing that Fergie prefers him. Its well known the RVP is better allround player but Chicha is just unpredictable, pouncing on anything and everything. Its the same with Valencia too, maybe we should play Rafael on the wing and Smalling or Jones behind. The guys need to reinvent themselves and try harder.
