adminLONDON. — Louis van Gaal will wait until his final training session before deciding whether to reinstate David de Gea for Manchester United’s clash with Liverpool on Saturday. The Spanish goalkeeper (24) has not started any of the club’s six matches this season and was set for a move to Real Madrid, only for it to dramatically collapse on deadline day.
He was dropped by the manager after a poor performance in United’s defeat by Paris Saint-Germain during their pre-season tour of the United States. Van Gaal questioned De Gea’s state of mind on the back of a summer which continually saw the goalkeeper linked with the La Liga giants. However, when an offer was finally made and accepted on deadline day paperwork was not filed in time to complete the move — triggering a war of words between the clubs.
De Gea, whose contract expires at the end of the season, cannot leave United until the window re-opens. And he could be back between the posts for the clash with their old rivals, which kicks off at 6:30pm (Zimbabwean time on Saturday).
Replacement Sergio Romero, signed on a free transfer, was poor in United’s 2-1 defeat at Swansea City last time out and may drop to the bench to make way for De Gea’s return.
Van Gaal had said he would not select De Gea until the window had closed. He will now monitor the keeper’s performance at the club’s Carrington training ground in the build up to the match before delivering his verdict.
De Gea made his first appearance of the season on Tuesday night in Spain’s 1-0 win in Macedonia where team-mate Juan Mata’s fluke strike was enough to separate the sides.
De Gea saw his dream summer switch to the Bernabeu slip through his fingers on deadline day after paperwork problems.
The Spanish goalkeeper has since been on international duty and made his first competitive start in four months on Tuesday night, keeping a clean sheet as Vicente Del Bosque’s side beat Macedonia 1-0 in a Euro 2016 qualifier.
De Gea returned to United yesterday and was set to speak to boss Van Gaal face to face at the club’s Carrington training ground. The Dutchman is ready to recall De Gea for United’s huge clash with Liverpool on Saturday.
Van Gaal will want the 24-year-old to reassure him he is mentally and physically ready to play for the Red Devils again.
And the former Atletico Madrid shot-stopper has insisted he is prepared for action.
“I wanted to play and now we’ll see after the international break if I’m lucky with my club,” De Gea said.
“My future’s going to be the same as it is now: I’m calm; I’ll keep working and improving — in short, I’m enjoying my football and I’m happy.”
De Gea is now hoping to win back his place in goal at Manchester United after he played his first competitive match this season in Spain’s 1-0 Euro 2016 qualifying victory away to Macedonia on Tuesday.
Coach Vicente del Bosque gave De Gea a vote of confidence by selecting him ahead of captain Iker Casillas for the match in Skopje, when Spain’s comfortable win thanks to an own goal put the holders two points clear at the top of Group C and close to securing their berth at the finals in France next year.
De Gea’s planned move to Real Madrid fell through in farcical fashion last week when the paperwork was delivered too late and United coach Louis van Gaal has not used him this season while the transfer sage dragged on. — The Daily Express
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