Kevin Strootman will not be joining Manchester United, say AS Roma

Italians rule out transfer of Holland midfielder to Old Trafford in January

AS Roma have ruled out any possibility of selling midfielder Kevin Strootman to Manchester United in January.

The 24-year-old was a key component in Louis van Gaal's Holland side before being ruled out of the World Cup with a cruciate injury - an injury which forced Van Gaal to adopt the 3-5-2 formation he now is trying to implement at United.

It has been widely expected that the United would move for the midfielder in January, once he has made a full recovery from his injury.

But Walter Sabatini, Roma's Sporting Director, says there is no chance of a sale.

“He is an extraordinary player, and these rumours [of his sale] have been based on the desires of other clubs," said Sabatini


“We want to keep him, he is our point of strength. We hope to see him back in the field with all his powers. He played an exemplary role last season.
“Of course he is unsellable, but we must contextualise that I do not say he is for sale. We receive offers, protect him and defend him, but I do not know what will happen.
“For now we enjoy him even whilst he is injured. We are not thinking in any way of selling him, we hope to have him return. We must have patience and wait, he is a decisive player.”

Van Gaal has made six signings since taking charge at Old Trafford in July with Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Ángel di María, Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao arriving in an unprecedented spending spree by the club.