Louis van Gaal: 'Victor Valdes won't be happy as Manchester United number two'

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes that Victor Valdes needs to have "ambition" to challenge number one goalkeeper David de Gea.

The former Barcelona shot-stopper signed an 18-month deal at Old Trafford yesterday after first joining the club in October to continue his rehabilitation from a knee injury.

Van Gaal stressed yesterday that the Spaniard enters the fold as number two to his countryman.

When asked in today's press conference if Valdes will challenge De Gea, Van Gaal said: "I cannot discuss that with you. I discuss that with David, with Victor, it shall be like that. Nobody is happy to be number two and he has to have ambition to beat David de Gea, but it shall be very hard for him."

De Gea's long-term future remains unclear amid reports that Real Madrid are interested in the goalkeeper.