Manchester United defender Guillermo Varela is determined to get the minutes that he needs at Old Trafford after being denied a loan move in the January window.
It was rumoured that the Uruguayan would leave to get some game time in Serie A, but Louis van Gaal reportedly blocked the move because of United’s injury crisis.
Luke Shaw, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young are all currently on the treatment table to leave Van Gaal’s full-back options threadbare.
And yet Varela was an unused substitute in Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over Stoke City. But the 22-year-old has insisted that he will work hard to earn Van Gaal’s faith.
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He told El Pais: “At my age it’s so important to play more minutes. But I’m also aware that it’s important and a good thing if your coach wants you to stay and counts on me.”
Varela was David Moyes’ first signing at Manchester United in 2013, but did not make his Red Devils debut until December 2015. He has made three further appearances in all competitions.
The South American is said to be highly-rated by United assistant manager Ryan Giggs, but it seems that Van Gaal only wants to use him as a last resort at present.
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