Louis van Gaal gives an insight into Manchester United leavers

Article by e-Manchester United's Terry Carroll @terrypcarroll

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The announcement of Manchester United's travelling squad to the US gives an intriguing window into Van Gaals' thinking. While some players will join the tour later, following post World Cup holidays, there are some notable absentees.

There have been rumours for some time about Javier Hernandez wanting more game time and, with Van Gaal often favouring a single striker and young players like Will Keane, James Wilson and Tom Lawrence coming through, it would come as no surprise if the Mexican leaves.

Not only is he not in the squad, but neither are Marouane Fellaini, Anderson, Bebe nor James Wilson. It would be some relief to fans who stuck by the team through David Moyes' troubled reign, if the clumsy loping Belgian is already being touted round the market. Somebody will get a bargain if they play 'Route One' football.

Most people thought Anderson's time had come and gone when he went to Fiorentina on loan. He may have a great sense of humour but he has also become something of a joke in United's first team squad. Bebe has remained an enigma since Sir Alex signed him for £7 million without seeing him. Van Gaal should bite Benfica's hand off if they want him.

James Wilson's absence should not be regarded as ominous, however. He had a tiring season last year and was carrying niggling injuries towards the end. Adnan Januszaj misses out also but like Wilson he is surely part of a brighter future for United and may join up later.

It is a delight to see Will Keane included after his recent injury challenges. Two years ago he, like James Wilson, looked a star prospect for England's 2018 World Cup squad.

However Nick Powell, Angelo Henriquez, Guillermo Varela, and Marnick Vermijl will be wondering about their futures. The first three were brought in by Sir Alex in their late teens, unlike Vermijl, who worked his way through the Academy. All four have under-age representative honours for their countries and fans would be shocked if Powell particularly is released.

It is of course tricky picking a squad for a pre-season tour. You cannot take everyone because they cannot all get games. There are sponsors and fans to please and United do not want to be a joke, being beaten by all and sundry, in a tournament against some of their European peers.

And apart from the Robin van Persie's extended absence to recover from his World Cup exertions and the unfortunate Michael Carrick, there may still be others to be added, even if only to play Valencia on United's return in mid-August.

Not surprisingly the media leapt on Van Gaal's apparent hint that he would not sign any more players until he had a chance to assess the existing squad on tour. Taken at face value this would mean a hiatus on transfer buys for the next four weeks while United's major rivals hoover up whatever talent is available.

That is frankly unlikely. Ed Woodward made a catastrophic error of judgement in being so open with United's targets last summer. When you look at the Luke Shaw signing, some people had given up all hope on what turned out to be a 'done deal'.

If Arturo Vidal does not arrive it may be much more due to any long-term doubts about his fitness, or even the potential availability of Marco Reus, Bastian Schweinsteiger or Wesley Sneijder. Players like Vidal and Mats Hummels are, like Van Persie, still on post World Cup breaks.

So although some potential incomers may not arrive in time for the US tour, we cannot rule out marquee signing(s) being showcased in that most visible commercial marketplace in the world.

In the meantime, Van Gaal is being true to his word given in his press conference in giving all the tour players a chance to impress him as being part of United's bright future.

Surely some won't survive the trial?

Full tour squad:

De Gea, Lindegaard, Amos, Johnstone, Rafael, Evans, Smalling, Jones, Shaw, Blackett, M Keane, James, Herrera, Cleverley, Fletcher, Young, Zaha, Kagawa, Mata, Valencia, Nani, Lingard, Welbeck, Rooney. W Keane.

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