Valdes to train with United

Victor Valdes is to continue his recovery from a knee injury with Manchester United before training with the first team

Former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes is to train with Manchester United, the club have announced.

The 32-year-old, a free agent after leaving the Nou Camp in the summer, will first continue his recovery from a torn cruciate ligament at United before training with the first team.

A statement from the Old Trafford club said: " Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has offered the 32-year-old former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes a chance to complete his rehabilitation from a knee injury and to work his way back to fitness with the club.

"Valdes, a free agent, will have his recovery supervised by the United medical staff before training with the first team, as he bids to regain full fitness."

Van Gaal gave Valdes his Barcelona debut as a 20-year-old in 2002, but the keeper played under the Dutchman for just six months before he left his post as manager.

Valdes won six Primera Division and three Champions League titles during his time at Barca, but it was brought to a premature end when he injured his knee in March. Having already announced he would be leaving the club in the summer, it spelled the end of his career in Catalonia as well as ruling him out of Spain's World Cup campaign.