Victor Valdes feared for his life while training alone at Manchester United

The former Barcelona goalkeeper was effectively exiled from the first-team squad by manager Louis van Gaal

Victor Valdes is at Old Trafford to be De Gea’s successor and will leave if not given that opportunity ( (AP)

Victor Valdes has revealed that he feared he may be left for dead while training alone at Manchester United.

The former Barcelona goalkeeper was effectively exiled from the first-team squad by manager Louis van Gaal after allegedly refusing to play for the club’s reserve team.

Valdes was forced to train with academy goalkeeping coach Alan Fettis and, one day, he felt so isolated that he feared for his own safety should a freakish accident occur.

"What if I were to hit the post and were to lose consciousness, and if I swallowed my tongue?", he thought to himself, as he told Spanish newspaper El Pais.

When he asked Fettis what would happen in that scenario, he says: “Alan replied, 'I've got my phone in my pocket, I'd call and they'd come to help you.'

“I told Alan, 'I feel very alone’”, he added.

Valdes, who is currently on loan at Standard Liege, made only two first-team appearances during his short time at Old Trafford before falling out with Van Gaal during last summer’s pre-season.

The Dutchman accused Valdes of not accepting the club’s ‘philosophy’ but, despite his nightmarish time, the 34-year-old ‘keeper does not feel any bitterness towards his old boss.

“A grudge? Not at all,” he said. “He gave me the opportunity to debut at Barcelona, he picked me when I had no team and offered me a chance to recover from my knee injury. I will always be grateful. If it wasn’t for him, I would not be here.”