Victor Valdes made just two appearances for Manchester United’s first team, before falling out with Louis van Gaal last summer and being left at home for the pre-season tour.

Valdes has now been loaned out to Standard Liege, where he was guilty of a dreadful mistake on his debut, but insists there’s no hard feelings between him and Van Gaal. The United manager was the one who gave Valdes his debut for Barcelona and the one who salvaged his career when Barcelona didn’t renew his contract when he was injured.

Rancour? Not at all. He gave me the chance to debut at Barca, he picked me up when I didn’t have a side and he gave me the chance to recover from my knee injury. I’ll always be thankful. Deep down, if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here.

I was training alone [at United]. What if I were to hit the post and were to lose consciousness, and if I swallowed my tongue? Do you know what is that? Here [at Standard] I am happy just to be in the dressing room.