Kevin Strootman Is Perfect for Manchester United but Not in January

With the January transfer window approaching ever nearer, Manchester United fans are beginning to look with intrigue at reports linking them to various players who may improve Louis van Gaal's side considerably.

Amid the usual names and rumours that crop up annually, there is one name this winter that is very interesting indeed, and it is that of AS Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman, whom Van Gaal himself coached while manager of the Dutch national team.

As reported by Mark Ogden of The Telegraph, Van Gaal intimated his interest in Strootman early on in the summer but warned that he would be a longer-term target due to the nature of the Dutchman's cruciate ligament injury, saying he would have to "wait and see how he comes back."

However, with Strootman having made his first-team return against Sassuolo last weekend combined with the fact Roma were yesterday knocked out of the Champions League by Manchester City, the rumour mill regarding Strootman has gone into overdrive. However it may well be in United's best interests to wait until the summer.

There is no doubting Strootman's ability both as a holding midfielder or a box-to-box operator. Despite being utilised as an attacking midfielder in his latter days with PSV Eindhoven, the Dutchman has really taken his game to the next level since moving to the Eternal City and would certainly add a lot to United's current midfield.

After years of underinvestment into the midfield during the latter years of Sir Alex Ferguson's spell at the club, United currently boast quite a well-balanced unit in the middle of the pitch. Of course there is a dropdown in quality in comparison to both Chelsea and Manchester City but the addition of Strootman could certainly rectify that.

As illustrated by the club's arduous pursuit of Arturo Vidal, as reported by the Mirror's Rob Dawson, Van Gaal is certainly keen on adding an elite box-to-box midfielder to his squad. If you look at the success Nemanja Matic has had since re-joining Chelsea last January, it is an absolute necessity to have that cultured, yet physical, presence in the heart of midfield.

Strootman being just two games removed from his return from injury is a concern. As United have found with Radamel Falcao, as told by Jamie Jackson of The Guardian, players who suffer with anterior cruciate ligament injuries often struggle to return to full fitness on a regular basis quickly, and given United's injury struggles thus far this term, that is not a road Van Gaal will want to go down with Strootman.

Furthermore it takes time for a player to readjust back to first-team football after such a long time away. In Strootman's case he has already been guilty of a missed interception which cost Roma a late goal in Moscow last month, while his performance against Sassuolo at the weekend was quiet to say the least.

Manchester United are not in a position to carry a player at this time, despite an excellent recent run of five straight victories, the margins between qualifying and not qualifying for next season's Champions League are fine.

Marouane Fellaini joined Manchester United last summer while not being at full fitness, and the Belgian quickly suffered an injury which even further limited his worth at the heart of midfield, and, as such, United fans struggled to take to their new signing.

Of course it is unfair to compare that situation with Strootman's, not least due to the nature of injury suffered as well as Strootman's significant higher technical ability, but the risk of a similar early setback would be present with a January move.

Manchester United's standpoint on a move for Strootman was at least in my opinion, never reliant on Roma's participation in the Champions League but rather how the former PSV man recovered from his injury.

As things stand it would be far too early to tell if Strootman has recovered well enough from his layoff next month, a re-evaluation in the summer would be much more worthwhile, with Roma themselves likely to be more open to negotiations at that time.

The issue of Financial Fair Play is one which also may come into United's conscious given the fact upward of £100 million has already been spent this summer.

Of course through years of financial boosting through sponsorship, United can afford such lavish spending sprees, but it remains a regulation the club must keep in mind with Roma likely to command a fee upward of £30 million with Strootman's contract with the Italian giants set to run until the summer of 2018, according to transfermarkt.co.uk.

While the transfer would be a considerable risk in January, Strootman as a footballer is exactly what United have been crying out for in midfield since Roy Keane's departure in 2005.

The Dutchman can dominate physically while being a huge asset to a free-flowing possession-based game. One of Van Gaal's main criticisms of his United side prior to Michael Carrick's return had been the inability to keep the ball for long periods in matches. It is no coincidence that since Carrick has returned, United have improved their ball retention significantly as proven by Jack Gaughan's study in the Daily Mail.

Carrick, however, is 33 years old and struggles when isolated in midfield, hence why the presence of a confident Fellaini has been so beneficial for United in recent weeks.

United have lacked leadership this season both in midfield and in defence. When pressure mounts there is a feeling of worry among supporters, there is nobody present who can see the pressure and instruct his teammates on how best to deal with and come through the situation. Strootman would be an excellent midfielder leader; he already has Van Gaal's confidence to do this as we saw prior to the World Cup.

To conclude, it is unlikely United will target Strootman in January with the club likely to be far less busy than many expect next month; however, in the summer the Dutchman will be the club's main midfield target should he prove a full recovery from his injury, and if this is the case, then United fans have a lot to be excited about.