Van Gaal drops ‘problem’ De Gea for Spurs match

 

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has been dropped for Saturday’s Premier League opener against Tottenham because he is not focused enough, manager Louis van Gaal says. 

De Gea’s future at Old Trafford looks increasingly uncertain amid interest from Real Madrid.

And the Spain international, who has a year to run on his contract, “cannot manage the situation”, according to Van Gaal.

The manager refused to say who would play instead, but there is a possibility that Sam Johnstone may be called up for his club debut.

Johnstone, 22, played more minutes on United’s pre-season tour than any of the other four goalkeepers on the club’s books.

Victor Valdes is out of favour after Van Gaal alleged that he refused to play in an Under-21 match, while Anders Lindegaard looks likely to leave on a free transfer.

New signing Sergio Romero, brought in this summer after being released by Sampdoria, is an experienced alternative, having played in last year’s World Cup final and at the recent Copa America for Argentina.