4) Kevin Strootman
One of many near-misses for Manchester United in last summer’s transfer window, Roma won the race against a hapless David Moyes for the signing of Dutch midfield playmaker Kevin Strootman from PSV. The classy 24-year-old is still thought to be a top target for United as Louis van Gaal is known to be a fan of his, but for now he is Roma’s player and his fine displays will have to make the Red Devils wonder what could have been. Like many of the players on this list, the Netherlands international is exactly the kind of composed and creative midfield player that United have been crying out for in recent times with the retirement of the highly influential club legend Paul Scholes.