De Vrij denies United links

Posted Tuesday, October 13, 2015 by Foxsports.com

Dutch defender Stefan De Vrij has downplayed reports linking him with Manchester United, claiming they are based purely on his relationship with United boss Louis van Gaal.

Dutch defender Stefan De Vrij has downplayed reports linking him with Manchester United, claiming they are based purely on his relationship with United boss Louis van Gaal.

The 23-year-old was handed his international debut by Van Gaal during his spell with the Netherlands national team, and went on to be named in the team of the tournament at the 2014 World Cup held in Brazil.

Upon Van Gaal's appointment as David Moyes' successor at Old Trafford, the former Feyenoord defender was tipped to follow his compatriot, but instead completed a 6,5million Euro transfer to Lazio in July 2014.

After making 23 appearances for the Serie A club and helping them to a fourth-place finish, the Netherlands international was again linked with the Red Devils this summer.

"I am continually being linked with Manchester United because Louis van Gaal is their manager," De Vrij told Italian newspaper Il Messaggero.

"A lot of Dutch players are being linked with Manchester United, but there has never been anything in it. All I want at this stage is to win things with Lazio."

De Vrij, who made his debut for the Netherlands as a 19-year-old in 2012, has amassed 30 caps for his country but will be disappointed after De Oranje failed to qualify for Euro 2016 following a dismal qualifying campaign in Group A.