Manchester United’s game of chicken with Real Madrid over the future of goalkeeper David de Gea took another turn on Tuesday when de Gea was included in United’s squad for the Champions League play-off against Club Brugge.
The goalkeeper was left out of United’s matchday group for the 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on the opening day of the Premier League season.
UEFA rules state that a player cannot play for two teams in the Champions League in the same season but with an exception for qualifying rounds, meaning De Gea could hypothetically play for a second team in the tournament even if he plays against Brugge.
United’s five new signings – Sergio Romero, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Memphis Depay are in named in the squad.
Manchester United squad to play Club Brugge:
David de Gea, Anders Lindegaard, Sergio Romero, Sam Johnstone; Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw, Antonio Valencia, Paddy McNair, Matteo Darmian, Tyler Blackett; Juan Mata, Michael Carrick, Daley Blind, Ashley Young, Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Jesse Lingard, Andreas Pereira; Memphis Depay, Wayne Rooney, Adnan Januzaj, Javier Hernandez, James Wilson.