MANCHESTER, Sporting Alert – David De Gea and Javier Hernandez, two players linked with a move away from Manchester United before the transfer window closes, were both named in the club’s squad for the Champions League play-off stages.
Man United made the announcement on its official website, at www.manutd.com on Tuesday and it looks like the Premier League outfit is determined to keep the pair for the campaign.
De Gea, who missed the Red Devils’ opening English Premier League game against Tottenham on Saturday, has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid, but United believe the offer from the Spanish giants is well below the value of the Spain goalkeeper.
Louis van Gaal said on Saturday after the win over Tottenham that he is prepared to leave out the club’s best player of the last two seasons until his future is sorted out, as Argentina’s Sergio Romero made his debut in the fixture.
Sky Sports’ Fraser Dainton reported on Tuesday that Manchester United are looking for a “record transfer for a goalkeeper” from Real Madrid or the services of Sergio Ramos – two things the Spanish giants are reluctant to do at the moment.
Meanwhile, Hernandez, who is linked to West Ham United and several clubs in the U.S. Major League (MLS), was also named in the squad to face Club Brugge later this month.
According to multiple sources, United manager van Gaal is hoping to keep Hernandez, as he believes the Mexican international has something to offer to the club.
The Dutchman also thinks that ‘Chicharito’ is a good cover for Wayne Rooney, should the England and Man United captain was to be sidelined at any time during the course of the season.
Also named in the squad to face Club Brugge in the two-way tie are summer recruits Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Memphis Depay.
The is no place for Victor Valdes, but Anders Lindegaard and Sam Johnstone were included in the setup as backup goalkeepers.
Adnan Januzaj, Paddy McNair, Tyler Blackett and Jesse Lingard, Andreas Pereira and James Wilson are also in the squad submitted to UEFA.
The first leg of the Champions League play-off clash with the Belgian side will take place at Old Trafford on Tuesday 18 August, with the second leg of the contest scheduled for Wednesday 26 August.
Full Manchester United Squad via the club website: David De Gea, Anders Lindegaard, Sergio Romero, Sam Johnstone; Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw, Paddy McNair, Matteo Darmian, Tyler Blackett; Adnan Januzaj, Michael Carrick, Daley Blind, Ashley Young, Ander Herrera, Antonio Valencia, Marouane Fellaini, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Jesse Lingard, Andreas Pereira; Memphis Depay, Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, James Wilson.
