Louis van Gaal says West Ham decided they only wanted a loanSam Allardyce: ‘I don’t know what will happen’

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Darren Fletcher’s proposed move to West Ham United is off, the Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has announced.

The long-serving midfielder looked set to leave Old Trafford for the Hammers after he had a medical at the London club on Friday. But Van Gaal said after Saturday’s win over Leicester City that the deal had fallen through after West Ham moved the goal posts.

Van Gaal claims West Ham wanted to make the deal temporary, rather than permanent, causing the deal to collapse.

“I thought Darren was going to sign a contract,” Van Gaal told BBC Sport. “But at the end they look for a loan and that was not the agreement.

“When you allow your player to go to London for the medical, there is no problem. At the end there is no agreement, it is strange.

“I don’t know what is happening there but the agreement is different there. On Saturday it is off.”

Speaking after West Ham’s 2-0 defeat at Liverpool, the Hammers manager Sam Allardyce confirmed the deal had stalled.

“Fletcher broke down on negotiations this morning. I really don’t know [what will happen] at this moment in time,” Allardyce said.

Fletcher has also attracted interest from West Bromwich Albion and Valencia. But Van Gaal appears to think the 30-year-old will remain at United, where he has five months left on his contract.

“I think so,” Van Gaal said when asked if Fletcher was likely to stay at United.

The Scotland midfielder has been at United for 20 years, but his experience has not been enough to earn him a regular first-team place under Van Gaal.

Fletcher has started just four Premier League games for the Dutchman even though he was named as one of two deputies – along with Michael Carrick – to captain Wayne Rooney at the start of the season.

The United manager hopes he can give the midfielder more playing time in the rest of the season.

“He is my third captain so it is not a problem for me [if he comes back],” Van Gaal said. “Manchester United just want to help him play more. For him now that is a big pity.

“We want to help Fletcher. That is my only concern. I am very happy he is coming back.”