Report: Victor Valdes still out of Van Gaal's plans at Manchester United
Two years ago, Victor Valdes became a La Liga champion for the fifth time, playing an integral part between the sticks for Barcelona. Last year, he missed out on Spain's 2014 World Cup squad and his career at Camp Nou ended due to an ACL injury.
Today, he has no squad number and is viewed as an irritant by his club manager.
It's quite a fall from grace for the World Cup and Euro Cup winner.
After Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal failed to offload Valdes over the summer, it appeared the 33-year-old's career at the Old Trafford outfit had been thrown a lifeline Thursday when he was included in its 25-man Premier League squad.
Related: Victor Valdes included in Manchester United's Premier League roster
However, Valdes was only in the list submitted to the Premier League to conform to rules, according to the Manchester Evening News.
If Van Gaal's side had 26 players, the Spaniard would've been the odd one out, but if a club doesn't have a full quota they cannot leave a player off the list. With its low numbers, the club had to name Valdes in its 21.
Van Gaal played important roles in the goalkeeper's career. He gave Valdes his senior breakthrough when he was the manager at Barcelona, and then gave him the chance to regain fitness after his ACL injury in 2014.
When Valdes became disgruntled at repeated games for the reserves, their relationship soured.
Lonely training sessions and second-string games in Altrincham look to be in store for the three-time Champions League winner before he can hatch his next exit plan in January's transfer window.