Man United’s Van Gaal delivers latest update on De Gea ahead of Spurs clash

Louis van Gaal has confirmed that Real Madrid target David De Gea will not start against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

The Spain international is still being linked with a move to The Bernabeu despite a potential deal involving Sergio Ramos falling through after the centre-half signed a new Madrid contract.

United manager Van Gaal signed Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero on a free transfer earlier this month, sparking fresh reports that De Gea could leave before the transfer deadline.

Speaking to his pre-match media conference on Friday morning, Van Gaal appeared to confirm that De Gea wasn’t ready to line up against Tottenham in their season opener.

“You will have to wait and see [who starts],” Van Gaal said. “De Gea shall not play, so I don’t have any concerns. You know that we have problems with De Gea. The Dutch journalists can confirm that I think a human being is more than only a player and he cannot manage that.”

Meanwhile, Van Gaal also confirmed that Argentina defender Marcos Rojo won’t be considered for the Spurs clash after he returned to Old Trafford earlier this month after an extended break.

“It is not possible for Marcos Rojo to be match fit as he was the last player to come back [to pre-season training],” Van Gaal continued.

Van Gaal has signed Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian and Romero in the summer transfer window.

MORE: Read the latest Man United player tweets

And the Dutchman added that Schweinsteiger is the only doubt amongst his new signings.

“Schweinsteiger came at the last moment out of his holidays, so I don’t think he is fit enough. We have to build to the fitness that he needs,” Van Gaal added.