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.”
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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