Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has been told by manager Louis van Gaal that he can go out on loan.

Sportsmail understands that Johnstone was given the go-ahead on Tuesday, with Fulham, Wolves and Preston North End among the clubs interested.

With David de Gea wavering over a new deal at the start of the season, Johnstone looked a shoo-in to get some first-team appearances under his belt.

Sam Johnstone helped Preston win the play-off final after a successful loan spell with the club last year

Sam Johnstone was left furious by Manchester United's refusal to let him leave to play first-team football

But Van Gaal opted to play Sergio Romero instead, and when De Gea put pen to paper on a long-term deal, Johnstone saw his chances disappear.

Van Gaal refused to let him leave for a Championship club, with Johnstone’s agent Jordan Segal saying in August: ‘Sam just wants to play football but Manchester United are holding him back and not even playing him.

‘He is a young goalkeeper and it is time for him to play regularly. If that is not at Manchester United, then it has to be elsewhere. This is an example of young English talent being held back by Van Gaal.’

Van Gaal has opted to play Sergio Romero (left) instead of Johnstone in United's first six matches this season

Johnstone penned a new three-year deal in January 2014 under former United boss David Moyes.