Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on David De Gea, Victor Valdes, More

As Manchester United's injury crisis continues with another round of star players going down in the international break, the transfer rumour mill continues to speculate on the fates of several Red Devils and potential targets who could soon join the club.

Louis van Gaal's vision is slowly taking shape, as the club sits just a handful of points outside the European slots on the Premier League table after a dreadful start to the season.

Plenty of turnover during the summer was always going to lead to early struggles, and the current swarm of injuries isn't helping, either. As more stars return to the pitch, the call for reinforcements in the January window will lessen. Here are the latest reports coming out of Old Trafford.

David de Gea 'Ignoring' Transfer Rumours

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Star goalkeeper David de Gea continues to be linked with a move away from the club, but the Spain international told reporters he feels loved at Manchester United and has no intention of leaving, via Sky Sports' Pete O'Rourke:

The news will be very much welcomed by the United faithful, who have been forced to read story after story regarding De Gea's potential move to Real Madrid in the past few days. Fichajes (h/t Metro) claimed the 24-year-old was set to snub his current club in favour of Los Blancos just days ago.

De Gea is yet to sign a new deal with the Red Devils, leading to speculation regarding a possible exit. And with Iker Casillas approaching the end of his career in Madrid, Real were singled out as the most likely destination.

United have no reason to move their star stopper, however, and the club's ambitions were underlined by a busy summer that saw plenty of world-class talent make the move to Old Trafford.

If the squad doesn't live up to its potential, it's not inconceivable De Gea would request a transfer, but as of right now, there's no reason to believe the Spaniard is interested in leaving United.

Victor Valdes Not Registered to Line Up Against Arsenal

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De Gea's finger injury led to speculation the Red Devils could sign free agent Victor Valdes as cover for his compatriot, but the Daily Mail's Ian Ladyman knows the former Barcelona ace won't be registered in time for the match against Arsenal.

Anders Lindegaard is expected to start at the Emirates Stadium, with De Gea's availability for the high-profile clash still very much in doubt. And while Valdes is still expected to sign a deal at some point in the future, the paperwork can no longer be processed in time for him to contribute against the Gunners.

The 32-year-old has been training with the Red Devils in recovery from a gruesome knee injury, and De Gea told Spanish newspaper AS (h/t Ladyman) he's still far removed from being match fit:

"

Yes, Victor is training over in Manchester, he's still not 100 per cent after his injury. When he is fully fit he will start to train with us. He's still not training in goal with us. From time to time he comes out with the goalkeeping coach but very little still.

Van Gaal knows him well because he gave Victor his debut at Barca and has a special affection for him and whenever possible we have to help where we can.

Football is cruel at times, it's difficult. When things go well you're very good and when they go badly, well it's awful.

"

The 30-year-old Lindegaard is a career backup who started just one match last season, via WhoScored.com, so it's understandable Van Gaal would feel uncomfortable going into a pivotal clash against Arsenal with the Dane between the sticks.

Fielding an out-of-form Valdes is hardly a better alternative, however, and the decision not to rush the experienced Spaniard is one that can only have positive effects in the long run.

Ed Woodward Rules Out Busy January Window

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Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward made it very clear the Red Devils won't be active in the January window, instead shifting their gaze on the summer of 2015. As reported by ESPN FC's Richard Jolly, he told Wall Street analysts:

"

We are not looking to enter the market for short-term fixes. We have targets we are looking at for next summer. Should any become available in January, which is rare, we will consider acting on it. But in terms of expectations, we all need to recognise that's a low probability.

"

United have been linked with a number of players in the past few months, and it is widely believed the back four still need an infusion of talent, but as reported by Jolly, the likes of Kevin Strootman won't be joining the club in January.

Mid-season transfers often carry very high fees and usually don't pay immediate dividends, as players don't have the opportunity to participate in training camps to grow accustomed to the new system as they would during summer.

The Red Devils' main goal for the 2014-15 season should be qualification for the UEFA Champions League, and as they currently find themselves behind a handful of teams to do so, the temptation to invest in January would be understandable.

Woodward expressed his belief in the current squad, however, and with the gap between United and West Ham just two points, the club are still in a solid position to end the season on a positive note.

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