Incoming Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has refused to comment on the recent speculations linking AS Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman to Old Trafford.
The Mirror earlier reported the midfielder is linked to United as the Red Devils were believed to be preparing a £25m in landing him. Strootman has already played under the 62-year-old manager for the Holland national side.
Van Gaal has revealed that he has already handed the list of players he wants at United after being appointed as David Moyes’ successor on Monday. However, the former Barcelona boss was coy when asked whether the Dutch international could join him at his new club next season.
“I gave my wishlist to the club. Is Kevin Strootman on it? A question for you, a fact for me. Success at United doesn’t depend on money, but about which players we bring in,” Goal quoted Van Gaal as saying.
The Dutchman will be with the national squad for the summer World Cup in Brazil. He says his focus is with Oranje and it is not a tough job to talk about his future club, while on national duty.
“It’s not hard at all to make the switch from United to Oranje. For a manager it’s totally different than for a player,” the former Bayern Munich manager said.
“Of course I have ambition to become World Champions with Oranje. I’m not going to Brazil just to take part of the World Cup, I’m trying to win it. That’s why we’re looking for a system that makes us unbeatable.”
“A player needs to focus on one thing to be successful, while a coach is thinking about the whole process. Otherwise I couldn’t do interviews like this any more and that’s just ridiculous.”
Van Gaal also admitted that he did not expect to be in charge of the “biggest club” in the world. United’s new manager claims the Red Devils made a very professional impression on him.
“In October I said that I wanted to work in the Premier League. But I couldn’t expect that I would work for the biggest club in the world,” Van Gaal stressed.
“Barcelona is maybe the best club in the world and Bayern Munich is the best organised club in the world. But Manchester made a very professional impression on me. I’ve got high expectations.”
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