Manchester United Transfer News: Victor Valdes, Nick Powell New Contract Rumours

Manchester United outcasts Victor Valdes and Nick Powell could each be handed new deals at Old Trafford despite their struggles to fit in at the club, according to the latest reports.

Valdes is currently on loan at Belgian outfit Standard Liege after falling out of favour under Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal, and Portuguese daily Record claimed Sporting Lisbon are interested in his services (h/t Sport Witness).

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The goalkeeper's agent, Gines Carvajal, is quoted in the report and suggested his client will move on from Old Trafford when his contract expires this summer, saying, "Valdes is in the end of contract with Manchester United."

However, Sport Witness mentioned Manchester United reportedly have the option to extend Valdes' deal by another year, but that could all depend on whether Van Gaal retains his place at the helm beyond this season.

Former Barcelona stopper Valdes has conceded three goals in his three appearances for Standard Liege, and the prospect of a move to Portugal's capital may appeal in the event he cuts ties with United.

There, he would come up against former Real Madrid icon and El Clasico counterpart Iker Casillas, currently at Porto, and Metro's Primeira Liga expert Jan Hagen claimed the Lions are indeed interested in a deal:

Another loan departure who may yet reverse his Old Trafford fortunes is Powell, who sealed a temporary move to Hull City in the hours leading up the January's transfer deadline.

Like Valdes, Powell's contract with United is up in the summer, but Tigers boss Steve Bruce told the Hull Daily Mail he thinks a good spell at the KC Stadium could earn him a second chance (h/t Daily Star's Jack Wilson):

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I don't know if they've closed the door on him or not but maybe the key is what he does here between now and the end of the season. Mick (Phelan, City assistant manager) knows him well and, of course, I spoke with Ryan Giggs at length about him. It's fair to say that Ryan really likes him as a player.

"

Giggs currently serves as assistant manager to Van Gaal, and Jack Gaughan of MailOnline dubbed him the Dutchman's "likely" successor if United were to change chiefs in the summer.

Powell has failed to make much of an impression at the Theatre of Dreams since signing from Crewe Alexandra in 2012, but Hull City shared footage of the player's best bits from his loan spell at Wigan Athletic in 2013-14:

Powell has made just nine competitive appearances for Manchester United in the three-and-a-half years since he joined the club despite the initially high expectations caused by his arrival.

The midfielder's last Championship loan with Wigan was a success, and Bruce believes a bright patch in Yorkshire could yet earn him a stay of execution with his parent club.