United goalkeeper Valdes to join Standard Liege on loan

Manchester United on Sunday announced that they and Belgian football club Standard Liege have reached agreement for the loan-transfer of goalkeeper Victor Valdes, effective until the end of the current season.

"By moving to Belgium, Valdes becomes the fifth United player to go out on loan this month after fellow goalkeepers Sam Johnstone, Dean Henderson and Kieran O'Hara and striker Ashley Fletcher," United said in their website.

The Spain international and former Barcelona shot-stopper signed for the Reds in January 2015 and has made two appearances for the club -- making his debut as a substitute in the penultimate game of last season at home to Arsenal (1-1), and then starting the final match of 2014/15 away to Hull City which ended in a goalless draw.

During the preparations ahead of this season, United coach Louis van Gaal said that Valdes was not included in his plans because the goalkeeper does not follow the philosophy of the team, forcing Valdes to train with the U-21 team.

United added that Adnan Januzaj, Will Keane, Donald Love and Joel Castro Pereira have all returned to the club in recent weeks while Liam Grimshaw and Ben Pearson have both made permanent moves to Preston North End.