David de Gea left out of Manchester United's squad to play Club Brugge

Manchester United have taken an 18-man squad to Belgium for the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Club Brugge, and once again, the club's best goalkeeper is missing. David de Gea will be watching at home, while Sergio Romero takes the gloves and Sam Johnstone sits on the bench.

Not a huge surprise, of course: Louis van Gaal seems to be determined not to play De Gea until such time as he either has or cannot join Real Madrid. But while Romero has so far managed not to do anything too ludicrous, it's only a matter of time, and tBB can't shake the feeling that he's going to go Full Barthez in the last minute of the most important game of the season so far.

But hey, we're pessimists. Full squad below. Also notable by their absence: Pedro, Neymar, Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and John Charles. What on earth are the club playing at?

(1/2) #mufc's 18-man squad for Bruges trip: Romero, Johnstone; Blind, Darmian, McNair, Shaw, Smalling; Carrick, Fellaini...

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 25, 2015

(2/2) #mufc's 18-man squad for Bruges trip: Herrera, Mata, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Young; Hernandez, Januzaj, Memphis, Rooney.

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 25, 2015