MANCHESTER, Sporting Alert – David De Gea has been included in the Manchester United Champions League squad, following his failed attempt to move to Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.
The Spanish goalkeeper, who hasn’t played for the Premier League outfits as yet this season, was hoping to be suiting up for Real Madrid after the international break, but instead will have to travel back to Old Trafford after the proposed switch collapsed on Monday.
De Gea is one of three goalkeepers named in the Manchester United squad for the group stages of the Champions League, but there was no place for Victor Valdes, who could still leave the club.
There were suggestions that De Gea could still make a switch to Real Madrid during the transfer window, but if he features for the Red Devils in the group stages, then the Spanish international will be cup-tied.
Sergio Romero is currently holding the starting gloves for Manchester United, but he is unlikely to keep his place after the international football break.
Van Gaal said that he will talk more about the future of De Gea after the window closes and he is bound to be bombarded with questions about the matter at his next press conference.
Also included in Louis van Gaal 26-player squad are summer recruits Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Sergio Romero and Matteo Darmian.
There were places as well for Guillermo Varela, Nick Powell, Phil Jones, Andreas Pereira, Paddy McNair, James Wilson and Jesse Lingard.
Manchester United who is making a return to the Champions League after missing out last season, will play in Group B alongside PSV Eindhoven, CSKA Moscow and Wolfsburg.
They will open the competition on Tuesday 15 September against Depay’s former club, PSV Eindhoven in Netherlands.
Goalkeepers: De Gea, Romero, Johnstone
Defenders: Jones, Rojo, Smalling, Shaw, Varela, McNair, Darmian
Midfielders: Carrick, Blind, Young, Herrera, Powell, Valencia, Fellaini, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Lingard, Pereira, Mata
Forwards: Depay, Martial, Rooney, Wilson
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