Manchester United superstar hints Old Trafford summer exit

But the starting eleven didn’t include perhaps United’s most valuable squad member: Sir Alex Ferguson.

“There is no place for one player [who does not do do that]”.

“For example, he refused last season to play in the second team”. Paddy McNair is still young and developing his game, Marcos Rojo is prone to rash moments and Jonny Evans has spent much of the summer being linked with a move away.

“But it’s very important he is ready to come back”.

“Sometimes it is a little bit turbulent up until that deadline day and then, once that comes and goes and the player is still at the club, then I’m afraid he just has to get on with it. You might even see him sign a new contract at Manchester United”.

United have obviously missed the genius of Ferguson since his retirement two years ago.

Rio spoke to us at the launch of BT Sport’s Premier League coverage in London, with the names he threw up as the best players he played alongside certain to set a few tongues wagging.

The Spanish newspaper claim that van Gaal believes the 24-year-old’s form may be affected by continued speculation surrounding his future.

John Cross in the Mirror used the same reasoning to suggest that United boss Louis van Gaal may be tempted to pursue Pepe now that the Ramos signing is out of the question.

A quarter of a century on, a third straight championship race free of United’s involvement is a very real possibility unless the Louis van Gaal era truly swings into action over the next nine months.

Late moves in the market before September 2 could plug the holes, but this is now, to all intents and purposes, a United squad of Van Gaal’s design.