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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said that David de Gea had missed their pre-season opener against Club America due to a minor injury, ESPN FC reports. The Dutchman also discussed in length about the squad at his disposal and hinted about possible additions.
United played with an entirely different set of eleven players either side of the half-time whistle, but the 24-year-old goalkeeper was a notable absentee along with Ecuador international Antonio Valencia.
Real Madrid have been in hot pursuit of the Spaniard all summer, but the Old Trafford club are reportedly unwilling to do business, especially after their reluctance to hold talks about Sergio Ramos. It could mean United's Player of the Year in the last two seasons may have to run out the final year of his contract.
The United manager said De Gea was not considered for selection as he had picked up a minor knock in training.
"David De Gea and Antonio Valencia were injured, minor injuries, but we cannot take any risks," said Van Gaal in his news conference in Seattle following the game which United won 1-0 thanks to a goal on debut by Morgan Schneiderlin.
"He scored with Southampton, I believe five goals, so it is not a coincidence, but we have practised this with him so I was very pleased with the performance," the 63-year-old said expressing delight at the summer signing’s performance.
Another player who didn’t feature in the match was Belgian international Marouane Fellaini and Van Gaal said the former Everton player’s enforced upcoming suspension had a part to play in his decision. The 27-year-old picked up a straight red card against Hull City on the last day of the 2014/15 season and will miss the first three games of the 2015/16 Premier League campaign.
"Marouane Fellaini is suspended for the first three [Premier League] matches so he has a longer time to prepare himself and I need to see other players."
Daley Blind could feature in central defense
The United manager hinted at a role in central defense for his compatriot Daley Blind, who had spent last season at either the left back position or as a central defensive midfielder.
“I want to play always with a left-footed central defender and Blind can do the job,” Van Gaal said. "Maybe he shall play there but all the players can play there. Last year it was [Phil] Jones and [Chris] Smalling, and even [Paddy] McNair has played there. But my preference is a left-footed defender and with Rojo and Blind we have two."
Van Gaal said that he is not worried about United’s lack of options up front, before adding that a signing could yet be made in that department.
"I am not worried about depth of forwards. We still have (Wayne) Rooney. He can play in the striker's position," he said. "We also have Chicharito (Javier Hernandez), (James) Wilson and maybe a surprise, you never know. It is a process. I am not worried about that position."
