15:15 David Maddock

Van Gaal: De Gea hasn't done enough to win his place back

Louis van Gaal has bluntly told David De Gea he remains banished to the Old Trafford wilderness because he simply hasn’t done enough to win his place back in the squad.

And the Manchester United boss has hit out at criticism of such a blunt management style, by insisting that it comes from people merely with an axe to grind.

The Dutchman was in typically uncompromising mood yesterday, as he slapped down any suggestion his Spanish keeper could earn a repreive at Villa tomorrow night...and took at sideswipe at former player Hristo Stoichkov in the process.

When asked if De Gea had done enough to be selected for the visit to Villa Park he replied bluntly: “It is the same situation. He remains out of the squad. I have said that already. Normally yes, Sergio Romero stays in goal.”





Stoichkov launched a blistering attack on the United boss yesterday, claiming he would leave Old Trafford in ruins, and urging Barcelona striker Pedro not to join the English club because of the manager.

But Van Gaal hit back by pointing out the pair have history, after he arrived at Barca as manager in 1998, and got rid of the Bulgarian striker to open up a feud between them.

And he added: “When I hear these things, I always want to consider who is saying such things and then I know that already why. It is not bothering me.

“I have as a manager, I have to decide a lot of things. He is one of the players I sent away and that is why he is doing that.“They can comment but it is not always the truth what they have commented, and that is always in this world, especially in the football world.

“I’m used to that.“When you hear that from (Luca) Toni in Italy he says the same things. There are more players who are speaking very highly about me than I have players that are saying the things that Toni or Stoichkov are saying.”