Roma's Kevin Strootman is Man Utd’s leading midfield target

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal views Roma's Kevin Strootman as his leading target to strengthen the club's midfield this summer, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Van Gaal knows Strootman very well, having worked with the 25-year-old in his former position in charge of the Netherlands national team.

Strootman is an athletic, technically-gifted central midfielder, but he has struggled badly with injuries in recent times.

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He sustained a serious knee injury last March which forced him to miss the World Cup, and he only played six league games this term before another knee problem ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.

He had averaged 85% pass accuracy and won 63% of his aerial duels in Serie A this season before picking up his latest injury.

Furthermore, Strootman could be the perfect foil for Daley Blind at Old Trafford. The Roma star is all-action and attack-minded, while the former Ajax midfielder could support him, with his accurate and purposeful passes.

United spent over £150 million last summer to build a squad capable of securing a Champions League place, and they are expected to invest heavily again at the end of the season.

Van Gaal admitted last month that he was looking to bring in a midfielder to help provide balance in the team, as reported by the BBC, and he is set to try to bring Strootman to Old Trafford, despite concerns over his fitness.

United are currently fourth in the table, and Van Gaal's side have a huge game at home against Liverpool on Sunday.

Strootman has averaged 2.80 successful tackles per 90 minutes in Serie A this season, more than any other Roma midfielder.