United on alert as long-term target returns to action.
Manchester United are likely to have an eye on AS Roma’s reserves this weekend as long-time transfer target Kevin Strootman returns to action from a lengthy injury, the Times reports.
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The Dutch international has long been on United’s radar after first catching the eye with Eredivisie giants PSV, before then continuing to impress greatly with Roma in Serie A last season.
A cruciate knee ligament injury kept the 24-year-old out of this summer’s World Cup and derailed any possibility of a move to Old Trafford in the summer, but it may now be that the Red Devils will revive their interest in signing him this January as he makes his return to fitness.
Although Strootman is not set for an immediate return to first-team action in Rudi Garcia’s side, he could take the opportunity to impress for the club’s reserves this weekend as United may well be watching out for his performance.
Despite Louis van Gaal spending plenty of money on new midfielders in the summer, it is thought that Strootman is still firmly on his agenda for the next transfer window, with some speculation that Spanish playmaker Juan Mata may be allowed to leave the club as part of the deal.