Spain coach Vicente del Bosque wants Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes to secure regular first team football, warning that the shot-stopper should not be warming the bench at the age of 33.
Valdes signed for Manchester United on a free transfer in January, having completed his recovery from a cruciate knee ligament injury suffered while at Barcelona last year.
However, the experienced custodian is playing second fiddle to countryman David de Gea at Old Trafford and regularly warms the bench, with Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal preferring the former Atletico Madrid shot-stopper, who has ben in sublime form.
Del Bosque is a firm fan of Valdes and wants him to play regularly.
The Spain coach told Cadena Cope: "I know he's good in training. I try to look closely at his situation now he sits on the bench at United.
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"But currently he is a reserve goalkeeper.
"I hope he can play more because he has always done well with Spain. I'd love it if he continues to find his work fun rather than just sit on the bench.
"At the age of 33, it is important that you are active and playing", Del Bosque warned.
Valdes, who has won 20 caps for Spain, is yet to play for Manchester United in a senior competitive fixture.
He has however turned out for the Red Devils at Under-21 level as he attempts to convince Van Gaal that he merits a start between the sticks.
It remains to be seen for how long Valdes will be content to warm the bench at Old Trafford, having played regularly for Barcelona.
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