“It is a real honour to sign for Manchester United. I would like to thank Louis van Gaal and the club for allowing me to do my rehabilitation and to train with the team at the Aon Training Complex. From my short time here I can already see this is a very special club. I worked with Louis van Gaal during my time at FC Barcelona and to have the opportunity to work with him here at Manchester United is a dream come true.”
These were the words of Victor Valdes as he signed for Manchester United after Liverpool had chased him for months. The Reds were after the free agent goalkeeper for some time, but eventually failed to get a deal done amid claims that the Spaniard was not happy with the offer out forward by the Merseysiders.
However, Valdes has signed for United… where he will be backup to David de Gea. A 32-year-old, arguably in his peak years, has rejected guaranteed first-team action at Anfield to warm the bench at Old Trafford. Ouch!
And it gets worse with these quotes from Andy Mitten writing for ESPN: Liverpool wanted Valdes and there was an offer from Juventus, too. He didn’t feel right about either club, especially Liverpool even though their goalkeeping situation is far more fraught than United’s and he could have been a realistic first-choice custodian.”
Such a move is indicative of the troubles at Liverpool, with Brendan Rodgers having already confessed that attracting top players to the club is an issue. This is further backed up by Alexis Sanchez’s decision to join Arsenal, despite more money being on the table from the North West side.
Are Liverpool now small time? Maybe…
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