MANCHESTER UNITED HAVE handed Victor Valdes a career lifeline by allowing the Spanish international goalkeeper to train with them as he looks to work his way back to full fitness.
The 32-year-old, who left Barcelona after twelve years in the summer, has not played since March due to a knee injury and is currently without a club after a move to Monaco fell through due to fitness issues.
In a statement released this afternoon, United announced Valdes would undergo rehabilitation work aided by the club’s medical staff.
“Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has offered the 32-year-old former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes a chance to complete his rehabilitation from a knee injury and to work his way back to fitness with the club,” the statement on the club’s website read.
“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.”
United’s rivals Liverpool were heavily linked with a move for the experienced goalkeeper but Brendan Rodgers last week poured cold water on the reports.
Van Gaal, who had two stints as Barcelona manager, worked with Valdes during his time at the Nou Camp. Interestingly, Valdes broke into the Barcelona first team under the tutelage of Frans Hoek, who is currently the goalkeeping coach at Old Trafford.
At present, there are three goalkeepers on the books at United with Anders Lindegaard and Ben Amos behind David de Gea in the pecking order.
