Victor Valdes is very close to me,says Van Gaal

Thegoalmac can reveal that Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he has a "special relationship" with former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who is training with the English club.

 "Every human being is special because they all have identities," he told reporters.

"It's a principle of my philosophy that you have to respect the individual human being. He's special because I've worked with him and we've retained our relationship, which is not always the case.

"It is not a surprise because I have done it with lots of players. I have a relationship with a lot of them. I gave Ronald de Boer and Edgar Davids training possibilities in the past - Valdes is one of these players.

"Robin van Persie also. When he played for me in the Dutch squad, I allowed him to use our medical department to keep fit for the World Cup. I wasn't the manager of United at the time, so I have always done it."

Speculation has mounted in recent days that United could sign Valdes permanently, and Van Gaal admits that "United always have their eyes open" in regards to new signings.