Louis van Gaal has revealed that he will not select goalkeeper David de Gea for Manchester United's opening match of the new Premier League season.
The Spaniard has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, and the manager admits that he is concerned the speculation could distract the shot-stopper.
The manager confirmed that new signing Bastian Schweinsteiger and defender Marcos Rojo, who was away on international duty over the summer, will also sit out.
Read what else the manager discussed ahead of tomorrow's match against Tottenham Hotspur.
Good morning! Louis van Gaal will be speaking to the media shortly as his Manchester United side prepare to kick off the new Premier League season with a match against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford tomorrow lunchtime.
It's an early press conference from Van Gaal today. That's because his side are in the Champions League playoff round draw later this morning, having finished fourth in the Premier League table last season. The team will learn who they will face from 11am, when the draw gets underway.
There's already been some big news from Old Trafford this morning as the club have announced that Ashley Young has penned a contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2018. You can read more about that agreement here.
Van Gaal's also been having a chat with the club's television channel ahead of his press conference. He's told MUTV: "We have no injuries, it's unbelievable! But it is not possible for Marcos Rojo to be match fit as he was the last player to come back [to pre-season training]."
Van Gaal has been busy in the transfer market this summer, preparing his side to push for the title and compete in the Champions League. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay have all come in, while Angel di Maria is the biggest name to move on, joining Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week. There's still talk of David de Gea joining Real Madrid before the end of the transfer window though.
The club have been looking back at some of their opening-day wins over the years on Twitter this week in the run up to the start of the new season. Here's a reminder of Ryan Giggs' free kick in a win over Bolton Wanderers back in 2003:
Ryan Giggs struck this superb effort as #mufc began 2003/04 with a win over Bolton. https://t.co/H8oSVdNkVN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 5, 2015
Van Gaal should be speaking in just a few moments, so now is a good time to remind you that we will have live coverage of tomorrow's proceedings from Old Trafford from 10.45am - a whole two hours before kickoff! There will also be team news, post-match reaction, player ratings and loads more, so make sure you're with us again tomorrow.
Right then, the manager is ready to speak to the media, so let's see what's on his mind...
Van Gaal starts with an update on the club's five new arrivals and those that have been in action with their countries over the summer: "There are players who came in later. Marcos Rojo came one week ago, Schweinsteiger came at the last moment out of his holidays, so I don't think he is fit enough. We have to build to the fitness that he needs."
Van Gaal is asked who will play in goal, and he insists: "You will have to wait and see. [De Gea] shall not play, so I don't have any concerns. You know that we have problems with De Gea. The Dutch journalists can confirm that I think a human being is more than only a player and he cannot manage that."
Van Gaal believes that his side is better now than at this time last year: "I think that we are far better now than last year when we started, so I have a lot of confidence."
Could there be more new arrivals at Old Trafford this summer? The Dutchman doesn't appear to be ruling it out: "The squad is still in process because we are living in a crazy football world. The transfer period is still going on and the competition is starting."
Angel di Maria's departure was confirmed yesterday, and the manager admits he is a "big loss": "Di Maria, we have solved that problem, but it is a big loss because I want attackers with speed and creativity. He is one of those players. We have to look for that kind of player."
Van Gaal hopes that his side can continue their form from the end of last year: "When we play in the same style and at the same level as the last six months of last season, then we can make a good year."
Well, Van Gaal has a Champions League draw to keep his eye on, so he quickly makes his exit after a brief but thorough press conference. It's particularly interesting to hear that David de Gea will be left out amid transfer speculation.
So, that's it from Van Gaal for now, but make sure you're back here in around 24 hours for the start of our build up to the opening fixture of the new Premier League season. Also, stick around as we'll bring you all the details from the Champions League draw shortly. Until then, thanks for joining me this morning. Goodbye.
Written by
Sian Cowper
Sian Cowper
