Louis van Gaal blocked Guillermo Varela loan exit?

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal reportedly stopped Guillermo Varela from leaving the club on loan late last month.

It is believed that the Uruguayan was on the verge of joining Serie A outfit Genoa on a six-month deal.

However, due to an injury-enforced shortage of full-backs, Van Gaal pulled the plug on the deal, according to The Sun.

As a result, Varela will now spend the remainder of the season at Old Trafford.

The right-back has made four senior appearances for the Red Devils this season.