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.
Van Gaal must decide whether he is ready to throw in Romero, who did not play for United at all in pre-season.
The
manager said: "We have problems with De Gea. I don't know what the
solution is. That's in progress. But I cannot lead this process. I can
only watch and observe. I am not participating in the process.
"It is not easy for him to manage his situation now.
"He
shall not play, so I don't have any concerns. I think a human being is
more than only a player, and he cannot manage that situation."
Asked if that meant Romero would start, the manager said: "You will have to wait and see."
Van Gaal has held back from sending Johnstone, 22, out on loan to Preston as he considers his options.
The Championship side have instead brought in Jordan Pickford on loan from Sunderland.
Johnstone,
a former England Under-20 international, has gained experience in the
lower divisions during loan spells at Scunthorpe, Walsall, Yeovil,
Doncaster and Preston.
The dropping of De Gea has come after he
disappointed Van Gaal with an error during United's final pre-season
match, against Paris Saint-Germain in Chicago on July 29.
De Gea
was involved in a mix-up with Phil Jones and Luke Shaw, which allowed
Blaise Matuidi to score PSG's second goal in a 2-0 win.
It was
only the Spain international's second appearance for United in
pre-season, having recovered from a hamstring injury sustained against
Arsenal in May.
Van Gaal also indicated that his squad has been left light on attacking threat following Argentina winger Angel Di Maria's £44.3 million move to Paris Saint-Germain.
The
manager said: "It is a big loss. When I say I want more attackers with
speed and creativity, Di Maria is one of those players.
"We have to look for that player. They have to have the talent to cope with the English rhythm and this is difficult to find."
Meanwhile,
United winger Ashley Young has signed a contract extension that will
keep him at Old Trafford until at least June 2018.
The deal for Young, who joined the club from Aston Villa in August 2011, has the option for a further 12 months.
Young
said: "I am delighted to have signed a new contract. The spirit and
motivation among this team is very high and we are all determined to
make this a season to remember."
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