Just a month ago, the talk surrounding Manchester United back-up goalkeeper Victor Valdes was that the club would rebuff any inquiries for him. Since then he was even rumored to have turned down an offer from a Turkish club or two. Today however, the situation has totally changed.
With David de Gea likely staying, Valdes is more expendable, and he didn’t do himself any favors with his outlook and his attitude.
The back-up keeper refused to play in the United reserves, and his days at United are now numbered. United Manager Louis van Gaal confirmed that Valdes’ exit is imminent.
“Valdes is not selected [for the tour] because he doesn’t follow my philosophy. The philosophy is how you play football and how you maintain your match rhythm,” said Van Gaal at a news conference today in Seattle, Washington.
“He refused last year to play in the second team. There are a lot of other aspects in the philosophy how you have to play like a goalkeeper at Manchester United. When you are not willing [to apply] the principles of that philosophy there is only one way, and that is out.
‘For us this is a big disappointment. We thought he would follow our philosophy. It’s a pity because we have given the opportunity to rehabilitate. Then we gave a contract. Then of course he is fit to play. When you’re not playing in the first selection, you have to play in the second selection.” (transcript Daily Mail)
So now we have an answer as to why Victor Valdes wasn’t selected for the U.S. preseason tour.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with Fox Sports Digital. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous sports talk radio stations all across the country.
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