Manchester United have named their roster for the UEFA Champions League group stage, and it includes David de Gea. The official roster was released on both United and UEFA’s official websites today, and the other two goalkeepers included are Sergio Romero and Sam Johnstone. Victor Valdes was left off.
Should De Gea see action during the group stage, he would then be cup-tied should Real Madrid decide to pursue their interest again during the January transfer widow. In other words, his inclusion in the Champions League roster could scupper any potential move to Los Blancos.
So this is bigger news than your typical naming of a team list for the European tournament.
Today’s news also indicates that Manager Louis van Gaal likely plans to activate De Gea soon. United’s #1 has not featured in any competition his season. The last time De Gea played was July 29th, the final preseason match. In that game, a 2-0 loss to Paris St. Germain at Soldier Field in Chicago, De Gea looked out of sorts.
Perhaps now with the transfer soap opera behind him, he will play like his old self again.
In other notes pertaining to the roster, Marcos Rojo who had international paperwork issues again this summer, was included among the list of defenders. As was Matteo Darmian who was brought over to Old Trafford earlier this summer. The rest of the new summer signings, midfielders Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger, as well as forwards Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial, all made the list as well.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is part of the FOX Sports Engage Network. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous talk radio stations all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 the Zone.
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