FA Cup the Ideal Chance for Victor Valdes to Relieve Burdened David De Gea

It was always sensible for Manchester United to add elite-level goalkeeping depth behind standout shot-stopper David De Gea, and Friday's FA Cup encounter with Cambridge United is the ideal moment to deploy it.

Earlier this month, the Red Devils inked former Barcelona No. 1 Victor Valdes to an 18-month contract (with an additional one-year option), and having trained with the club since October, the 33-year-old will likely make his club debut at Abbey Stadium, as per Mark Ogden of The Telegraph.

De Gea, who has started each and every one of United's matches so far this season, could clearly use a bit of rest from his usual duties behind a porous defense—duties he has nevertheless excelled at despite manager Louis van Gaal's tinkerings with three- and four-man back lines.

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Indeed, there's a case to be made that the 24-year-old has been his side's best player this term, and his exceptional performances between the sticks have not gone unnoticed.

Real Madrid are reportedly interested in the Spain international, but according to Richard Tanner of the Express they'll have to pay upwards of £50 million to get him. United, meanwhile, are hoping he'll shortly sign a new contract when his current pact expires in June 2016.

In any event, De Gea's situation is one that surely causes his current employers no shortage of discomfort, and it's in this context that the Valdes acquisition was both well-timed and shrewd.

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A six-time Primera Division champion and three-time Champions League winner, he brings an accomplished CV to Old Trafford as well as the veteran presence they recently enjoyed in the form of Edwin van der Sar.

His new teammates are already learning from his example.

"On the training field he's so sharp, and you can see that he's very agile," defender Chris Smalling recently told the club's official website. "He's such a great addition and is a name that really belongs here at Manchester United. We've heard a few stories from him, and a few people here have asked him questions."

All that's left then is for Valdes to see his first competitive action since last March, when he suffered a knee injury in what proved to be his final match for Barcelona.

It won't be a glamorous night at Cambridge, but for Valdes it could end up being just the first in a line of important appearances for United—one way or another.

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