Kevin Strootman will not move to Manchester United: Roma president James Pallotta

Kevin Strootman will not join Manchester United, said James Pallotta, president of AS Roma

AS Roma President James Pallotta has said that midfielder Kevin Strootman will not make a move to Manchester United in January.The 24-year-old played under current United manager Louis Van Gaal for the Netherlands and is very highly regarded in Europe.

Pallotta said that Strootman was a key member of the club and his nine-month absence due to injury was felt by them.

"We'd be first in the league if it wasn't for the injuries to [Leandro] Castan and Strootman. Strootman will not go to United," Pallotta told Roma Radio.

"[Jose] Holebas and [Kostas] Manolas are integrating, and we're convinced that we'll fight for the Champions League. We have a five-year project and the [new] stadium [which will be built] is part of this. I think we're a club built for the Scudetto and the Champions League,“ he added.

Reports suggested that sources at United told ESPN FC recently that they were hopeful of signing Strootman in the transfer market next month. FIFA agent Matteo Materazzi also told RAI that the Red Devils will sign the former PSV Eindhoven man for €40 million.

United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has said that the club will only spend in January if their long-term targets become available, and will not be interested in spending money on short-term fixes. The Red Devils spent a whopping £152 million in the summer transfer window in 2014, which seems to have paid off, as the team are currently third in the Premier League, and back on their way to the Champions League.