Manchester United's Antonio Valencia is the best right-back in the world along with Dani Alves of Juventus, Ander Herrera has said.
Valencia, in his eighth season for Manchester United, has looked rejuvenated since the arrival of Jose Mourinho as manager and provided three assists in the 5-2 preseason win over Galatasaray.
And the 31-year-old Ecuadorian followed that up by delivering the cross from which Zlatan Ibrahimovic headed the winning goal against Leicester City in the Community Shield.
Midfielder Herrera told MUTV: "I have always liked the way he plays.
"I know he's not a normal right-back because he used to play as a winger but I think that, right now, he is the best right-back in the world maybe with Dani Alves, because I like Dani Alves a lot.
"When you have a right-back who is quick to defend and he is crossing maybe six or seven times a game, always or almost always successfully, then he understands football.
"When I have the ball, I know that Antonio's always ready to receive it, always to give you one solution."
Herrara said he believed Valencia "is going to be very important this season" and added: "I think I said at the end of the last season that something good is being cooked, and everyone wants to be part of that."