Manchester United transfer news: Club confirm releases of Victor Valdes and Nick Powell

Manchester United have released Victor Valdes and Nick Powell. Powell, once tipped by Sir Alex Ferguson as a successor to Paul Scholes, leaves the club having made just nine appearances for the team following his move from Crewe Alexandra in 2012.

Following loan spells at Wigan Athletic and Leicester City, the forward was sidelined with injury problems for most of 2015. He was given a surprise call back into the first team last December for a crucial Champions League tie against Wolfsburg, before disappearing back into the U21 ranks.

Valdes, 34, signed for United as a free agent in 2014, acting as David de Gea's understudy during the 2014-15 season. He made two Premier League appearances against Arsenal and Hull City at the end of the campaign.

The former Barcelona custodian fell out with former manager Louis van Gaal however, with the Dutchman accusing his charge of refusing to play for the Red Devils' U21 side.

"Valdés is not selected [for the tour] because he doesn't follow my philosophy. The philosophy is how you play football and how you maintain your match rhythm," Van Gaal said in August 2015.

"He refused last year to play in the second team. There are a lot of other aspects in the philosophy how you have to play like a goalkeeper at Manchester United. When you are not willing [to apply] the principles of that philosophy there is only one way, and that is out."

Valdes did not play a single minute of the 2015-16 season, joining Belgian club Standard Liege on loan in January.

United have also confirmed the departures of academy players George Dorrington and Oliver Rathbone.

Kieran O'Hara, Joe Riley, Scott McTominay Devonte Redmond, Joe Rothwell, James Weir, Josh Doughty, Ashley Fletcher and Demi Mitchell have all been offered new deals by the club.

Michael Carrick also a penned a new deal at Old Trafford this week, with youngsters Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Marcus Rashford signing contracts.