David De Gea not certain for Liverpool return, says Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal

'You shall see', says the Dutch coach

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea could still join Real Madrid (Getty Images)

David De Gea is not an automatic choice to start in goal against Liverpool on Saturday, confirmed Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal.

De Gea signed a new four-year extension at Old Trafford earlier on Friday and is widely expected to first-team action against rivals Liverpool on Saturday afternoon, having not played at all so far this season.

But speaking to MUTV, Van Gaal would not reveal whether the Spanish goalkeeper would replace Sergio Romero in goal for the match.

"You shall see it - you never know," said Van Gaal. "His head is empty now and that is very important.

"He can now focus and concentrate on this game and has played 90 minutes for Spain. Now we have to judge how he is in our training sessions."

Speaking at his press conference, Van Gaal also said: "Will he play? I will have to judge the session and he knows that. It's logical that his head is now empty and he can concentrate and focus on the match.

"That is a big change from three or four weeks before, so I hope I can see that and give him his first start."

Van Gaal confirmed that Michael Carrick could play after recovering from a calf strain, but Phil Jones is still missing and Andreas Pereira picked up a knock while on international duty.

At his press conference Van Gaal also revealed that Carrick and club captain Wayne Rooney had approached him earlier in the season because the mood in the dressing room was "flat".