Van Gaal drops De Gea bombshell ahead of Spurs opener

Louis van Gaal has drawn a line in the stand over the David de Gea transfer saga.

The Manchester United boss has dropped the Spanish goalkeeper from his squad for the Premier League opener against Tottenham. Apparently De Gea won't be considered for selection as long as Real Madrid remain interested, with Van Gaal claiming the keeper isn't able to focus while he remains in "the transfer process". "I can only watch and observe. I am not participating in it... it is difficult," said Van Gaal. "A player is also a human being and he cannot manage that [transfer speculation]." Van Gaal's confirmation about dropping his No.1 is in direct contradiction with claims made by Spanish paper AS that the Spaniard would remain at Old Trafford for 2015/16. The decision means either Sergio Romero or Sam Johnstone will face Spurs in the opener.