Roma coach Rudi Garcia has told Manchester United to forget about signing Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman this summer.
- By Michael Bell
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The midfielder is currently out of action with a knee injury, which saw him miss the World Cup, but that has not stopped the former PSV and Utrecht star from being linked with a move to Manchester United.
However Roma coach Rudi Garcia has told United boss Louis van Gaal that Strootman will remain at the club this season, as they prepare to challenge in both the Champions League, and Serie A.
Garcia said in a press conference, “Strootman is a Roma player. He will be a Roma player this year. There is no doubt about that.
“Only he can say whether he wants to stay but it was never an issue for him to go to another club. There is no question of it.”
Later Louis van Gaal was asked about the midfielder, who was a key part of his set up in the Netherlands national team, and although he was coy at first, the new United coach did indicate a bid could be made when Strootman is fit.
Van Gaal stated, “I never say anything about individual players. It is my vision that we talk about a team and not individual players.
“Strootman I can judge, but he is injured for more than six months. We have to wait and see how he comes back.
“It is not easy to say how he comes back from injury, but we will wait and see.”
Strootman is back in light training with Roma, but it may be months until the 24-year-old is back on the pitch.
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