Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata labels Victor Valdes fall-out with Louis van Gaal 'a shame'

Goalkeeper has been frozen out at Old Trafford

Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes (Getty Images)

Juan Mata has spoken about Victor Valdes' ongoing exclusion at Manchester United, saying the situation is a shame.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has indicated Valdes will never play for the club again after claiming the goalkeeper refused to play for the Under-21s last season.

The former Barcelona goalkeeper looked certain to leave over the summer but a proposed move to Besiktas fell through.

It means the 33-year-old remains at Old Trafford but can do nothing but train. He was not given a squad number and was excluded from the official squad photograph.

Compatriot and team-mate Mata has spoken about the situation, and hinted that Valdes has not given up on pushing his way back into Van Gaal's plans.

“It’s a shame what is happening with him as he is a great goalkeeper.

“He wants to compete and has proved himself as a goalkeeper.

“I don’t know what happened between him and Van Gaal. That is something only they can say.”

United signed Sergio Romero over the summer and managed to keep David De Gea at the club, making any hope for Valdes of returning to the fold incredibly tough.