London - Manchester United are in talks over a potential deal with former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
Old Trafford manager Louis van Gaal has offered the 32-year-old a chance to complete his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury and to work his way back to fitness with the club.
Valdes, a free agent, will have his recovery supervised by the United medical staff before training with the first team as he bids to regain full fitness. The former Spain international had been expected to join United’s fierce Premier League rivals Liverpool but Anfield manager Brendan Rodgers this week indicated that deal was off amid suggestions Valdes was not keen on a four-day training stint prior to signing.
Valdes has been out for six months with knee-ligament damage, an injury that scuppered a proposed move to Monaco.However, he is now approaching full fitness and looking for a club to suit his ambitions.
Valdes was in talks at United’s training headquarters in Carrington on Thursday, along with his representatives, and is keen to discuss all possibilities. For their part United want to see how he has recovered from his injury before committing to a contract and will assess the level of his recovery before offering anything.
United are in talks over a new contract for their No 1 goalkeeper David de Gea.
But they are keen that the 23-year-old Spain international faces more experienced competition for his place and Valdes certainly fits that bill, having won an array of honours with Barcelona during a glittering career at the Nou Camp and with Spain.
Meanwhile, Van Gaal is hoping Michael Carrick will continue his recovery from ankle-ligament damage .Carrick, 33, has been out injured since July but is due to play for United’s Under 21against West Ham United at Rush Green.
The England midfielder was an unused substitute in Monday night’s 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion and is expected to be part of the squad to face Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The time for recovery between games means he will likely take his place on the bench once again rather than figure from the start against Jose Mourinho’s title chasers.
United striker Robin van Persie is anticipating an edgy contest. The Dutchman, who has been criticised for his lacklustre performances of late, said: “Chelsea have a very good team and we have a good team. But it’s always a bit more edgy and I like that. You can sense that as well with the fans because they are a bit more on top of it in games like this. So in every way it’s a game to look forward to. There’s always a bit of a different feeling. It’s not that we’re less concentrated for other games but there’s a bit extra tension in a good way.
‘You don’t know what’s going to happen because it can go both ways.’
Daily Mail