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Van Gaal refuses to rule out Fletcher exit

Louis van Gaal has refused to rule out the possibility of letting Darren Fletcher leave Manchester United this month.

The Scotland captain, whose current contract expires this summer, has been linked with West Ham, West Bromwich Albion and Valencia.

Fletcher has made 13 appearances for United this season but has not featured since the FA Cup third round win over Yeovil and has only begun one league match since August.

Darren Fletcher has made 13 appearances this season © Getty Images

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"It is the transfer month, so you never know," Van Gaal said in a news conference, when asked if he would accept a bid for Fletcher.

The 30-year-old, who has made 350 appearances for United, is the longest-serving player at Old Trafford and, as Van Gaal noticed ahead of their trip to Cambridge, the only one to win the FA Cup at the club.

He was appointed vice-captain in the summer, only for Van Gaal to subsequently make Michael Carrick the deputy to skipper Wayne Rooney.

"He is a player of Manchester United [at the moment]," Van Gaal added. "That is the update and Darren Fletcher is the only player who has won already the FA Cup in my selection. He is also my captain, one of the three."

Van Gaal also defended his use of a back three this season, following criticism from United's travelling support at Queens Park Rangers.

He added: "We have [played] for example 4-4-2 in a diamond, we have played five or six matches. We have created a lot of chances but we have also conceded a lot of goals against us and that is the balance of the team and as a manager you have to look to that.

"Okay, we have won more than ever in this system so I am willing to play that but you have to see against which opponent and also I have to keep my team in balance."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd