• Serie A

Garcia determined to hold onto Strootman

ESPN staff
October 2, 2014
Kevin Strootman has been out for six months with a serious knee injury © Getty Images
Enlarge

Roma manager Rudi Garcia hopes one Manchester club is going to see Kevin Strootman take to the field with them in December, albeit in opposition.

Meanwhile, the other half of Manchester should forget their dreams of seeing Strootman wear their colours, with Garcia insisting the Netherlands midfielder - who has been out of action since March - is still an essential part of his plans.

Strootman's return from a knee injury has been pencilled in for the Champions League clash with Manchester City on December 10, while United and their former Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal continue to be linked with a move for the 24-year-old.

"Strootman's an important player for us and I hope to have him available for the game at home to City," Garcia said. "He's a top quality midfielder and we're all really looking forward to having him back. We hope he comes back soon."

Strootman played 29 games and scored six goals for Roma before tearing knee ligaments in March, an injury which also ruled him out of the World Cup.

Although he has not been close to a football field in six months, United are still targeting the midfielder this winter.

However, Garcia does not expect him to leave, even though such a decision is not ultimately his to make.

"You'll have to ask our president," Garcia said. "But the club's intentions are very clear."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
ESPN staff Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices