United’s keeper crisis

The goalkeeping situation at Manchester United is bordering on chaos, just three days to go until thePremier League season starts.

The goalkeeping situation at Manchester United is bordering on chaos, just three days to go until thePremier League season starts.

Published Aug 5, 2015

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The goalkeeping situation at Manchester United is bordering on chaos with just three days to go until the beginning of the Premier League season.

David de Gea is favourite to start in goal against Tottenham at Old Trafford on Saturday, but of the five keepers available to manager Louis van Gaal, only new signing Sergio Romero’s future is clear.

De Gea’s team-mates expect him to join Real Madrid before the transfer window closes at the end of the month. Van Gaal has stated that No 2 Victor Valdes will be sold and Anders Lindegaard has been told he can leave on a free transfer.

That leaves young Sam Johnstone, whose loan move to Preston has been put on hold while the situation is resolved, and Romero, who has yet to play for the club since arriving as a free agent. It is remarkable that United have allowed the issue to drag on while spending another £80million on outfield players this summer.

To further complicate matters for Van Gaal, his keepers are understood to have reservations over the methods of coach Frans Hoek, who moved to Old Trafford with the Dutchman last summer. De Gea, in particular, is said to be unimpressed but will not kick up a fuss, in keeping with his conduct since Madrid’s interest became known.

United are determined not to lose face over De Gea, having initially indicated that he would not be sold unless Real centre back Sergio Ramos was part of the deal. That now appears to be unlikely.

They have lined up Jasper Cillessen of Ajax, who played under Van Gaal for Holland, as a replacement but parachuting a new goalkeeper into the Premier League without the benefit of a pre-season would be far from ideal. Keylor Navas, expected to leave the Bernabeu if De Gea signs, could be another option.

Valdes would be the obvious choice, but Van Gaal is determined to sell the former Barcelona keeper after accusing him of refusing to play in an Under 21 game last season.

Meanwhile Angel di Maria has passed a medical with Paris Saint-Germain. The Argentina midfielder had his medical at Doha’s Aspetar hospital last night and his £44.5m transfer is set to be ratified before PSG’s opening Ligue 1 fixture at Lille on Friday.

Ashley Young is expected to sign a new three-year deal at Old Trafford worth £120 000 a week in the next few days.

United also hope to tie up a £20m deal for Barcelona forward Pedro.

West Ham have expressed an interest in Javier Hernandez but United are unlikely to sell. – Daily Mail

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