"I have good hope he can play against Barcelona," said Van Gaal.
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Louis van Gaal wants David De Gea to remain at Manchester United
"He was injured and couldn't play against San Jose so I said, 'go stand in the goal so we have a point of direction for my attackers, but don't do anything to risk your injury'.
"That is because we have to build him up [for the new season]. I think he can play [against Barcelona] and I hope he can."
And while Paris Saint-Germain are confident of securing a deal for the Argentina international, Van Gaal is remaining coy on the winger's future.
Van Gaal said: "I expect him (to arrive) tomorrow because we have communicated that and they have responded on that.
"But I am not answering questions about transfers or the process."
Angel Di Maria - Spotlight On
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And Manchester United have received a major boost in their pursuit of Sergio Ramos.
According to Radio Marca journalist Pablo Garcia Cuervo, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has finally bowed to Ramos' demands to leave the club.
It is thought Perez wanted goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who joined Porto earlier this month, to leave the club and the same could happen with Ramos.
“Sergio has made his mind up," Garcia said. "Florentino also wants Sergio to leave.
“If Florentino Perez wanted to keep Casillas, he hid it very well. The same is happening with Ramos.”