Sign Valdes, sell De Gea? Manchester United's goalkeeping dilemma

David de Gea's untimely dislocated finger has opened the door for another man to potentially be Manchester United's last line of defence when they take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

As things stand, that man would be Anders Lindegaard and not Victor Valdes. While the former Barcelona star is training at Carrington as he continues his rehabilitation from a cruciate knee ligament injury, United have made no move to sign him on a playing contract in time to face the Gunners - should De Gea lose the race to be fit.

But as Valdes nears a return to full fitness, United know that they have a decision to make – one that will ultimately shape and be shaped by the futures of the men currently fighting for the No.1 spot at Old Trafford.

De Gea is in the final two years of his contract. He is also a target for Real Madrid – a club that, despite his Atletico past, it is understood he would have no problem joining. United's priority is to tie the Spaniard to a new long-term deal – complete with a significant increase on his current €112,500 (£90,000)-a-week wage packet – but the player and his representatives have so far not been all that interested in talking.

One way or the other, the Red Devils are keen to resolve the situation by the end of next summer. Beyond that De Gea – and Madrid – would hold all the cards and United's chances of at least making a considerable profit on the €24 million (£19m) that they paid Atletico to acquire him in the summer of 2011 would decrease dramatically.

Losing De Gea for any price would be a blow. At 24, he is already one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League and, barring a catastrophe, Spain's next No.1. He has started every game under Louis van Gaal this season and provided an isolated beacon of light for the Dutchman during his stuttering start with a string of impressive displays behind a depleted, inexperienced and ever-changing defence.

A summer departure is by no means guaranteed. De Gea has settled well in Manchester after a rocky start, working productively with a succession of goalkeeping coaches including Eric Steele, Chris Woods and current mentor Frans Hoek, calling the Dutchman "one of the best I have seen" in October.

Realistically there are only two clubs for whom the 24-year-old would leave Old Trafford: Madrid and Barcelona. The Catalan giants bought two goalkeepers last summer and are barred from signing anyone else until January 2016 but their bitter rivals are able and very willing despite acquiring Costa Rica's World Cup hero, Keylor Navas, from Levante only a matter of months ago.

Edurne Garcia, De Gea's girlfriend, let slip her partner's desire to return to Spain when reports linking him to Barcelona surfaced in January 2013 and going back to Madrid would be even more appealing. The timing also seems right, with the curtain slowly being brought down on the great Iker Casillas.

Within this context, signing Valdes is smart for a number of reasons. The former Barcelona No.1 has operated at the elite level for his entire career and, at 32, could emulate Edwin van der Sar and shine into his late 30s if his health persists.

Valdes also knows Van Gaal and his methods well, with the star having made his Barcelona debut under the Dutchman in 2002, and is every bit as comfortable with the ball at his feet as De Gea. His signing could strengthen United's hand in any contract talks with the 24-year-old and would certainly soften the blow of any sale.

United can bring in Valdes at any time before January 1 because he is a free agent and they have a vacant spot in their 25-man Premier League squad.

With his injury ordeal still in mind, the 32-year-old would not expect to be an immediate first choice and he still represents a huge upgrade on the disillusioned Lindegaard, who is angling for a January move. The Dane has failed to make any appearances so far in a season that, in the absence of any European football, has simply lacked the fixtures for Van Gaal to significantly rotate.

While regular Under-21s goalkeeper Ben Amos is liked by United's coaching staff, the vastly experienced Valdes would be a far more reassuring presence on the Old Trafford substitutes' bench.

And if De Gea cannot be secured on a new contract and Madrid maintain their interest, United may need their No.2 to be much more than that.