Van Gaal's Valdes Comments Should Be Exactly What Man Utd Fans Want to Hear

Usually, the arrival of a world-class player would be greeted with fanfare at Manchester United. It was afforded to Angel Di Maria when he signed in the summer and then Radamel Falcao.

Like Di Maria and Falcao, Victor Valdes, who signed an 18-month deal at Old Trafford this week, is one of the best in the world in his position. But the former Barcelona goalkeeper's arrival has prompted some suspicion among United fans.

Louis van Gaal can only pick one goalkeeper. And he already has a very good one in David De Gea. The problem for some supporters is that De Gea is yet to sign a new contract. 

Clint Hughes/Associated Press

And because of that there will be a nagging feeling, as much as they want to ignore it, that Valdes has been signed as De Gea's replacement. Most fans are happy Valdes has signed. But not if it means De Gea is on his way out. 

Van Gaal, though, had the perfect response to those questions at his weekly press conference on Friday. In quotes carried by the Manchester Evening News, he said simply that signing Valdes was in line with his transfer strategy:

"

When you invite Victor Valdes to have his rehabilitation here at Manchester United you do that for him, but also for yourself.

I had the chance to see him and his behaviour in rehabilitation but also if his quality was still the same. He has confirmed both and that is very important for me, and also for him because when I am satisfied then mostly the players are satisfied.

Nobody is happy to be No.2 and he has to have ambition to beat David De Gea, but it shall be very hard for him. My ambition is that I have the best players who can cooperate with each other to form the best team in the world.

"

Van Gaal was very careful with his words, making sure he didn't guarantee De Gea or Valdes regular football. De Gea is in possession of the gloves, but the Dutchman made it plain Valdes hasn't signed just to sit on the bench. He wouldn't want him to, either.

Valdes is at Old Trafford to provide competition for places. Just like Di Maria. Just like Falcao. 

Van Gaal says he wants to build the "best team in the world," one capable of winning the Premier League and Champions League. That means having two world-class players in every position. Signing Valdes is just a small part of that.

Jon Super/Associated Press

The pictures of the 32-year-old holding up a United scarf released by the club this week will have made some fans nervous. To some it represents the beginning of the end for De Gea. 

But it means something far more simple for Van Gaal. It's about collecting good players rather than losing them. It's about building the best team in the world. And if that doesn't deserve fanfare, then nothing does.