Football
ESPN staff 9y

David de Gea: Victor Valdes not my successor at Manchester United

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has insisted that Victor Valdes will not be brought in to replace him, despite the current No. 1's contract ending in 2016.

De Gea, 24, has been linked with a move to Real Madrid after starring for the Old Trafford side this season.

And his future has become the subject of increasing speculation as former Barcelona goalkeeper Valdes is training with United in a bid to recover from a cruciate knee ligament injury suffered last season.

The two Spanish shot-stoppers know each other well, but De Gea insists that the club -- and new manager Louis van Gaal -- do not view Valdes as his successor.

"Yes, my contract runs out in 2016. But they didn't sign him for that", he told AS TV.

"Victor had a difficult injury, he had a bad time and the boss knows him well and has given him the opportunity to recover there.

"Yes, Victor is training over in Manchester -- he's still not 100 percent after his injury. When he is fully fit he will start to train with us. He's still not training in goal with us. From time to time he comes out with the goalkeeping coach, but very little still.

"Van Gaal knows him well because he gave Victor his debut at Barca and has a special affection for him and, whenever possible, we have to help where we can.

"Football is cruel at times, it's difficult. When things go well you're very good and when they go badly... well, it's awful."

De Gea is currently out injured with a broken finger, which may see Anders Lindegaard given a chance in the weekend's game at Arsenal if he fails to recover in time.

After a difficult start to his career in Manchester following his arrival from Atletico Madrid for 18 million pounds in 2011, De Gea insists he is happy at Old Trafford.

Asked directly about interest from Real Madrid -- who will be looking to replace under-fire veteran Iker Casillas in the coming years -- he said: "It's not the moment to think of my future. It's the moment to think about Manchester as we are not in a good moment. I'm happy there and feel very loved by the fans. I'm focused on doing well."

"Casillas will be in the national team and at Madrid as long as he wants.

"I'm in England for several years now, and it's true that at the start it was difficult -- but now I'm very happy and I feel very loved by the people in Manchester and everything is going well."

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