Víctor Valdés’ difficult spell at Manchester United is set to end in January, according to his agent.

The former Barcelona goalkeeper has made only two appearances since joining United last January after recovering from knee surgery.

Valdés has had a strained relationship with the United manager Louis van Gaal and was not given a squad number for the 2015-16 campaign.

When asked about Valdés’ future his agent, Ginés Carvajal, told Radio Marca: “He’ll have a chance [to play] in January, wherever he goes. He needs to go to a place he feels is right for him.”

Carvajal does not envision the 33-year-old Spaniard returning to his home country to play. “He won’t be coming to Spain, unless he decides otherwise,” he said.

Valdés, a Euro 2012 winner with Spain, becomes a free agent next summer. He is a reported target of Newcastle United, who are looking to strengthen their backline after losing their first-choice goalkeeper Tim Krul to a serious knee injury at the weekend.

The Holland international ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during his national team’s 2-1 win against Kazakhstan in Saturday’s Euro 2016 qualifier and has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Valdés has also been linked with Chelsea and Liverpool in recent months.