VAN GAAL: DA GEA HAS REFUSED TO PLAY

De Gea missed the season’s opening match against Tottenham, and is also set to miss tonight’s trip to Aston Villa.


According to manager Louis Van Gaal, it was the Spaniard’s decision to be left out of the team.
“Frans Hoek [United’s goalkeeper coach] has a meeting with David de Gea and he asks him, ‘Do you want to play?’ ” said Van Gaal.

According to van Gaal, De Gea’s response was “no.”

“Then I have to take the decision. It is a process. We had been observing him in preparation. He was not so good, he was not the same David de Gea as before. He was my best player last season. According to the fans, he was the best of the last two years.

“He was fully agreed with our decision. I have one assistant coach and another assistant coach so we speak about that kind of thing. We have a goalkeeping coach. I’m not doing everything alone.”
Van Gaal stated that if De Gea chose to stay in Manchester, his shirt would be available for him to fight for.

“That depends on Romero also and his form. It is always like that,” Van Gaal said. “[At the moment] It is the same situation. He remains out of the squad. Normally yes, Sergio Romero stays in goal.”