Louis van Gaal and Victor Valdes have history. A history that dates back to 2002 and FC Barcelona. It was the year that the Dutchman han...
A history that dates back to 2002 and FC Barcelona. It was the year that the Dutchman handed a young Valdes his debut in senior football ahead of Pepe Reina, and also the season when the strict disciplinarian performed a u-turn and dumped Valdes back in the Barca B side.
The keeper had originally turned down the chance of a loan move to Villarreal after being assured by Van Gaal that he would become the number one keeper, so it was a huge surprise when the manager made an about turn one midweek and told him to play for the reserves.
It left Valdes angry, hurt and confused. Not that it would've bothered Van Gaal one bit.
The pair were eventually reconciled but Van Gaal left the club soon afterwards and although there was an understanding when the Catalan signed for his former manager in Manchester it would be as United's number two, it's entirely understandable that decent performances in training etc. might have led Valdes to believe there would be a chance for promotion.
In any event, his position was as number two for the first team. So when Van Gaal performed another u-turn recently telling Valdes that he had to play for the reserves, it was fairly obvious how the keeper was going to react.
The Dutchman will of course be lauded by many for his discipline but it again highlights a lack of interpersonal skills from an often fractious individual.
Going to the press to advise that Valdes 'doesn't follow my principals' is hardly the way to get the best out of your players, and his my way or no way attitude naturally means that Valdes will be shown the door.
But isn't Van Gaal just cutting his nose off to spite his face here?
Valdes remains a gifted custodian. You don't become the most decorated keeper in FC Barcelona's history if you haven't got something about you.
With rumours of David De Gea's future still dominating the back pages of the newspapers Valdes was, and is, primed to be a natural successor to his countryman. Just 33 years of age, he still has at least three to four good seasons at the top level left in him.
The posturing and a need to always be centre-stage means that Van Gaal might now be looking for not one, but two high quality keepers in the very near future.That's an almost untenable situation at this point and even taking into account that he can choose to manage how he wishes, he has brought yet another player dispute upon himself. And this one could have lasting consequences…
