Manchester United: Victor Valdés completes loan move to Belgian club Standard Liège

Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdés has completed his loan move to Belgian club Standard Liegé until the end of the 2015-16 season. Valdés, 34, announced on Thursday, 21 January, that he would be leaving Old Trafford during the January transfer window.

Sam Johnstone meanwhile has returned from his loan spell at Preston North End.

A short statement from United read: "Manchester United and Standard Liege have reached agreement for the temporary transfer of goalkeeper Victor Valdés, effective until the end of the current season. The deal is subject to formalities being completed."

Valdés arrived at the club on a free transfer in January 2015, having spent the previous months training with the club as he completed his recovery from a serious knee injury.

The former Barcelona shot stopper made just two appearances for the club at the end of the 2014-15 season and was left out of the club's Premier League squad this season. United manager Louis van Gaal criticised the Spain international afer be allegedly refused 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 at the time, as quoted by Goal.com.

"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."

After failing to find a new club during the summer, Valdés had been training separately from his teammates, waiting for the January transfer window to make a move.

Ahead of his departure, United recalled 22-year-old Sam Johnstone from Preston North End. Preston were keen to sign Johnstone on a permanent deal during the January transfer window but were told by United his services were required back at Old Trafford.

The Championship side have since signed former United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard on loan from West Brom until the end of the season. Preston confirmed in their statement announcing Lindegaard's arrival that Johnstone has been recalled by his parent club.

"The club were informed of Manchester United's decision to recall Sam Johnstone after his loan spell came to an end after the home tie against Brentford, but moved quickly to bring in the Danish international custodian."