The Top Flight
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Victor Valdes training with Manchester United could spell end for De Gea

By Robert Molnar

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The 32-year old Valdes is coming off an ACL tear last season. The injury caused Valdes too miss most of Barcelona’s season and selection for the Spanish World Cup squad. The veteran goalkeeper has agreed to Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal’s offer to train with the club. Valdes, who has been unemployed since June, will just be training with the club to help recover from his injury. The news was announced through Manchester United’s official website. The club would also go on to clarify the goalkeeper’s position 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.”"

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The move brings one of the world’s best goalkeepers to one of the world’s best clubs. Though the goalkeeping situation at Manchester United is currently under control, with fellow Spanish star David De Gea currently being the club’s workhorse at goalkeeper. One would think that offering Valdes a chance to train with the club is one to help encourage De Gea to continue his strong start to the season.

The move, however, might not be as innocent as it seems. With the defending UEFA Champions League Champion’s Real Madrid reportedly interested in De Gea, bringing Valdes into the club could be United preparing for the coming loss. With the Spanish fans clamoring for De Gea to replace Iker Casillas in the national team, replacing Casillas at Real Madrid could soon follow. After all, De Gea joined Manchester United in 2011 from Atletico Madrid for £17.8 million. A move back to the Spanish capital he once called home would not be too far-fetched.

Bringing in a goalkeeper like Victor Valdes would put United in a position to capitalize on De Gea’s interest, helping generate funds to strengthen other areas of the club. One problem with the plan though could be that Valdes is currently not under contract with the club, only training with the club. However, ESPN is reporting that United could make a move to sign the veteran goalkeeper in the next few weeks, with a medical test being lined up in the next few days.

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Making a move of this magnitude not only brings in one of the world’s best goalkeepers, but makes current starter David De Gea expendable. With a deal possibly happening soon, selling De Gea to Real Madrid becomes a real possibility for United. Valdes might not give the club a long-term plan at the position, he will however give the club a few good season while the club develops its future starter, something the club has failed to do at most of its positions as of late.

Keeping De Gea is also possible, but with his inconsistency over the last few seasons, there is no guarantee that De Gea won’t begin to struggle again. As long as Victor Valdes is healthy, and no lingering problems from the ACL injury, signing Valdes would be the right move for the club. Bringing his experience and leadership to the club would strengthen the club in those areas. The same areas the club has struggled in for the last couple seasons. Valdes over De Gea. It is the right move to help the club now, and one that the club needs to execute now.

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