Van Gaal reveals ‘special relationship’ with new Man United keeper

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has spoken of his ‘special relationship’ with former Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes, who has begun training with the club.

The Spanish international keeper has been out of action since March when he injured ligaments in his knee, but his rehabilitation is going well, of which, he will complete at Old Trafford and re-find his fitness with the Premier League club.

United boss Van Gaal has admitted that he has great respect for Valdes, with whom he managed during his two spells at the Camp Nou.

“Every human being is special because they all have identities,” he told reporters.

“It’s a principle of my philosophy that you have to respect the individual human being. He’s special because I’ve worked with him and we’ve retained our relationship, which is not always the case.

“It is not a surprise because I have done it with lots of players. I have a relationship with a lot of them. I gave Ronald de Boer and Edgar Davids training possibilities in the past – Valdes is one of these players.

“Robin van Persie also. When he played for me in the Dutch squad, I allowed him to use our medical department to keep fit for the World Cup. I wasn’t the manager of United at the time, so I have always done it.”