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David de Gea has been named in Manchester United’s Champions League squad after missing out on a sensational move to his dream club Real Madrid, as revealed on their official website. The player has not even played a single match for United this season, as manager Louis van Gaal felt that the Spaniard’s focus was elsewhere.
The 24-year-old was also selected to be part of the Champions League squad that faced Club Brugge in the playoffs, but didn’t get to feature there either. Seeing that the transfer window has closed and his immediate future seems to be at Old Trafford, he will be hoping to get back in the Dutchman’s good books.
United’s new signing and most expensive teenager Anthony Martial has also been included in the team that will take on PSV Eindhoven away. The 19-year-old who moved from Monaco to Old Trafford in a record-breaking fee of £36 million will be joined by youngster Andreas Pereira and Jesse Lingard.
No Champions League for Victor Valdes
While De Gea has been selected to be a part of the 26-player squad that will challenge in Europe’s most prestigious competition, his compatriot Victor Valdes didn‘t make the cut. The three-time Champions League winner was another player that fell out of favour with Van Gaal this season after supposedly refusing to play in a reserve game.
Valdes was close to joining Turkish side Besiktas, but the deal fell through as the club was unable to agree with the Spaniard on personal terms. The 33-year-old had a trophy-laden career at Barcelona where he won six La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey’s and three Champions League titles.
Manchester United Champions League squad
Goalkeepers: David De Gea, Sergio Romero, Sam Johnstone
Defenders: Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw, Paddy McNair, Matteo Darmian, Guillermo Varela, Phil Jones
Midfielders: Memphis Depay, Juan Mata, Michael Carrick, Ashley Young, Ander Herrera, Antonio Valencia, Marouane Fellaini, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Andreas Pereira, Jesse Lingard, Nick Powell
Forwards: Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney, James Wilson
