The agent of young Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has hit out at manager Louis van Gaal for 'holding back' his client.

The 22-year-old had been linked with a number of loan moves away but the Dutchman elected to keep the youngster amid his goalkeeping crisis.

With number one David de Gea exiled by Van Gaal, the Spaniard is now expected to come back into the fold to displace Sergio Romero and push Johnstone to third choice after his Real Madrid move broke down.

"Sam just wants to play football but Manchester United are holding him back and not even playing him," agent Jordan Segal told the Daily Mail.

"He is a young goalkeeper and it is time for him to play regularly. If that is not at Manchester United, then it has to be elsewhere. This is an example of young English talent being held back by Van Gaal.

"The start of the season was the perfect opportunity to give Sam his chance to prove he can play for United. He is ready. If they do not want him to play then he needs to move for the sake of his career. He cannot sit on the bench or in the reserves."

Johnstone was named in the Red Devils' Champions League squad on Wednesday.