The news Manchester United fans have feared, but expected, has come to light in the past 48 hours – David de Gea is Real Madrid-bound.

The club’s Player of the Year and a major factor in the top four finish will be, barring a minor miracle/disaster (depending on which side of the two teams involved your allegiance lies) playing in Spain next season, which raises major issues at Old Trafford.

Surely he has to be replaced? After all, how can United look to mount a title challenge after losing their best player?

However, Louis van Gaal may already have a ready-made option in waiting in the shape of Victor Valdes. The 33-year-old Spaniard was snapped up on a free transfer over the winter period, and with an illustrious past and a medal cupboard that rivals that of any other name on the planet we at FFC Towers think he’s the ideal man to fill the void… Here are FIVE reasons why.

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Vastly experienced

Although Louis van Gaal has been a little reluctant to field Valdes since his winter arrival – his first Premier League start only came on the last day of the season due to De Gea’s injury issues – there’s no doubting the 33-year-old’s pedigree. It has to be remembered that the experienced stopper was ever-present through Barcelona’s successful era across the latter 2000s and into the early 2010s, winning honours such as La Liga titles (six), the Champions League (three), the Copa de Rey (two) and the FIFA Club World Cup (two), while he was also a part of the dominant Spain set-up, winning the 2010 World Cup and EURO 2012 – albeit he rarely played.

Actually better than De Gea…

Now bear with us, here are some stats that back up such a bold claim. Valdes’ numbers in his last full season in 2013/14 – which was hit with the late injury – compared with De Gea’s recent campaign are interesting.

He registered 0.5 clean sheets-per-game (De Gea 0.3), conceded 0.81 goals-per-match (De Gea 0.97), made 2.31 saves-per-match (De Gea 2.11) and made three saves for every goal conceded (De Gea 2.17).

Okay, the argument that Valdes was playing for an impressive Barcelona team can be levelled at these numbers, but they’re very encouraging for the Old Trafford faithful.

Ready to step straight in

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Just over six months away from top level football followed his exit from Barcelona last summer, with a major knee issue having thwarted a seemingly nailed on switch to Monaco.

Van Gaal gambled on his fitness, and perhaps his reluctance to give the Spaniard playing time was due, in part, to a desire to ensure he’s 100% fit once again.

Impressive showings over the last two games of the 2014/15 campaign suggest that Valdes has not lost his touch, and a full pre-season could be just what he needs to revive his career.

Potentially a better fit in LVG’s system

While De Gea is a pure shot-stopper, Valdes offers a little more in terms of building from the back.

Although, perhaps, not in the same league as his imminent predecessor in terms of reflexes and agility, the 33-year-old is well-versed in using the ball to build from the back, which is, potentially, a tool LVG may utilise.

Valdes is a composed player on the ball with a good range of passing, and with United likely to enjoy the lion’s share of possession in most games they play next term, another option to recycle possession effectively at the back could be of use.

Entering his peak years

With De Gea is 24 and Valdes at 33 this ‘swap’ seems like a short-sighted one.

However, the ex-Barcelona man, as long as he’s managed effectively off the field, could play on into his late 30s, giving United up to six years of action.

While 33 may seem to be the cut-off point for strikers and midfielders, goalkeepers are, typically, at the height of their powers, with the experience and know-how needed to perform effectively in the role picked up with game time.