Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea remains out of the match-day squad for the second successive week, club boss Louis van Gaal has revealed.
Van Gaal is convinced that De Gea is not in the right frame of mind due to the speculation linking him with a move to La Liga side Real Madrid. The Dutchman has confirmed that Argentinean goalkeeper Sergio Romero will stay in goal (in the place of De Gea) in United’s away match versus Aston Villa.
“He [De Gea] remains out of the squad,” Van Gaal said ahead of Friday’s EPL fixture at Villa Park. “There is the possibility of him joining Spanish club [Real Madrid] before the transfer window closes.”
“The Argentina international Sergio Romero will continue in his place.” He added.
During a normal pre-match press conference in Carrington, Van Gaal explained the reason behind his decision to drop the 24-year-old goalkeeper from opening day squad, saying that De Gea had told Frans Hoek (United’s goalkeeping coach) he did not want to play.
“I’m not doing everything alone; we’ve talked with him [De Gea], said Van Gaal. “He was fully agreed with our decision.”
“We have a goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek who has a meeting with David de Gea and he asks him, ‘Do you want to play?’” and his reply was “No.”
De Gea joined Old Trafford club in 2011 for £17.8 million – a British record for a goalkeeper – and made 131 appearances.
