Wednesday 21 January 2015

Valdes set for United bow


Victor Valdes is expected to make his Manchester United debut at Cambridge in Friday's FA Cup fourth round encounter.

The former Barcelona keeper, who won 21 trophies, including three Champions Leagues, six league titles and three World Club Cups in a trophy-laden career at the Nou Camp, also won the World Cup with Spain in 2010.

There is something slightly ironic, therefore, in the fact that Valdes' United debut looks set for the-less-than glamorous surroundings of Cambridge's Abbey Stadium.

Valdes, 33, signed an 18 month contract at Old Trafford earlier this month and has been on the bench for the last two Premier League games at QPR and at home to Southampton.

Ever-present David De Gea is unquestionably the first choice but Valdes will get his chance with manager Louis van Gaal looking likely to field a number of younger fringe players.

If he does play as expected, it will be his first action for ten months after he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in Barca's clash with Celta Vigo. 
Van Gaal has emphasized that Valdes' arrival at Old Trafford will not affect David De Gea's United career, and moved quickly to re-assure fans that the 24-year old will pen a new deal amid speculation about his future.

United defender Chris Smalling has said that the United squad have been impressed by Valdes in training, despite his long-injury lay off.
The centre-back said:
“On the training field he's so sharp, very agile, a good communicator and a great addition to the club.
“We all look up to him as he has achieved so much in his career, but he is not done yet and we all look forward to striving for future success with Victor on board in the near future.”

It is thought that van Gaal wants to give Valdes a taste of first-team action to ensure he is prepared to stand-in for De Gea should his no 1 become unavailable through injury before the end of the season.




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