14 Aug 2015

De Gea won't play this weekend

1:15 pm on 14 August 2015

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea will not return to the squad for his side's game against Aston Villa this weekend.

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Spanish international missed United's 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend because manager Louis van Gaal felt he was not in the right frame of mind due to speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

New signing Sergio Romero deputised for United in their Premier League opener against Spurs and Van Gaal says the Argentina international was likely to do so again at Villa Park.

Asked if De Gea was in contention to play against Villa, Van Gaal told a press conference in Manchester: "No, it's the same situation. He remains out of the squad. Normally, Sergio Romero stays in goal."

Van Gaal also responded to criticism from former Bulgaria international Hristo Stoichkov, who played under him at Barcelona.

Stoichkov claimed that Van Gaal "destroys" clubs and urged current Barcelona forward Pedro Rodriguez not to consider a move to Old Trafford following interest from United.

"I always want to consider who is saying such things and then I know that already why," Van Gaal said.

"It is not bothering me because, as a manager, I have to decide a lot of things and Stoichkov is one of the players I send away and that is why he is doing that."

Van Gaal said he was still in the market to sign players before the transfer window closes early next month, but played down speculation that winger Adnan Januzaj could leave the club.

Sunderland and Everton have both been linked with the Belgium international, who was left out of United's match-day squad for the visit of Tottenham last weekend.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs

We have regular online commentary of local and international sport.