Victor Valdes: ‘I am a very difficult person to work and live with’

A public spat with manager Louis van Gaal has left Valdes surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, with the Dutchman claiming the former Barcelona stopper refused to play for the reserves.

That remark prompted Valdes to hit back on social media, with tensions showing little sign of easing since.

But in an interview prior to the fall-out, recorded in June, Valdes revealed that he was not always the easiest to get along with.

“I am a very difficult person to work and live with. My wife deserves the biggest of trophies,” he told Colombian news station RCN (the interview aired last week).

“I was very lucky to have so many seasons with [Guardiola]. In addition to being a teacher to many of us, he was always able to communicate greatly with everyone and knowing how to adapt to talk to different people in the dressing room.

“That’s the most challenging thing for a coach, to adapt their own pride to be able to speak to everyone with their different egos.”

Valdes was tipped by many to replace David De Gea as United's number one this season, with his compatriot seemingly destined for a move to Real Madrid.

However, that transfer has not materialised - and Valdes' personal circumstances have not improved - meaning he could yet depart Old Trafford before the close of the summer transfer window.

“If I was born again, I wouldn’t be a football goalkeeper,” said Valdes. “They convinced me I had a lot of talent but it’s not an easy path and it hasn’t made up for all the years of suffering. There have been many days when I haven’t wanted to be there, but I do it since I was convinced when I was young.

“I have walked the path with discipline but it has brought me thousands of moments of suffering.”