Kevin Strootman will not join Manchester United - Roma president Richard Jolly December 25, 2014 Roma president James Pallotta has stated categorically that Kevin Strootman will not join Manchester United in January. Strootman played for United manager Louis van Gaal when he was in charge of the Dutch national team, and Old Trafford sources recently told ESPN FC they were hopeful they will be able to sign the former PSV Eindhoven player in the winter transfer window, despite Romas claims to the contrary. FIFA agent Matteo Materazzi also said this week that he believes United are closing in on the player, telling RAI: Manchester United are one step away from Kevin Strootman. The British club will pay 40 million euros for the Dutchman. However, Pallotta insisted Strootman, who only recently returned to first-team football after nine months out because of a cruciate ligament injury, is vital for Roma and will not be sold. Wed be first in the league if it wasnt for the injuries to [Leandro] Castan and Strootman, Pallotta told Roma Radio, according to Calcio Mercato. Strootman will not go to United. He added: [Jose] Holebas and [Kostas] Manolas are integrating, and were convinced that well fight for the Champions League. We have a five-year project and the [new] stadium [which will be built] is part of this. I think were a club built for the scudetto and the Champions League. United chief executive Ed Woodward has said that the former Premier League champions, who spent 152 million pounds last summer, will only spend in January if their long-term targets become available, rather than paying out for short-term fixes. -------------------------- Nemanja Vidics agent plays down talk of Spartak Moscow return Ben Gladwell December 24, 2014 Nemanja Vidic is still aiming to prove his worth at Inter Milan despite reported interest from Spartak Moscow, his agent has said. Vidic joined Inter on a free transfer after leaving Manchester United in the summer, yet he has only featured in nine games this season, and since Roberto Mancini took charge in mid- November, he has spent all of his time on the bench. According to Russian newspaper Izvestia, Spartak are keen on re-signing the defender on a loan deal until the end of the season, when they may then attempt to make the move permanent for a fee of four million euros. Vidic spent two seasons on Spartaks books before moving to United in 2006 and the Russian club -- who are lying sixth in the Russian Premier League going into the winter break, just five points behind second-placed CSKA Moscow -- have turned their attentions to the 33-year- old after a move for Alexander Dragovic of Dynamo Kiev broke down. Vidic has also been linked with a return to United to resolve a shortage of defenders, while Inters Serie A rivals Juventus have also been named as potential suitors for a player who has yet to show his best form in Italy. However, the players agent, Silvano Martino, told Izvestia: Nemanja is only thinking about Inter. I am sure that he can prove himself to the new coach and regain his place in the staring lineup. I dont know anything about Spartak. Every week Nemanja is rumoured to be joining his former clubs, and I am tired of commenting on that. ---------------------------------(Our goal is to be champions )- Van Gaal still aiming to win the title with Manchester United By Sam Lee 0 26-Dec-2014 13:04:00 The Red Devils are 10 points behind leaders Chelsea going into the Boxing Day fixtures but the Dutchman is still aiming to usurp them and claim the Premier League title Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is still hoping his side can win the Premier League title this season. United trail leaders Chelsea by 10 points heading into the Boxing Day fixtures, and are seven points behind second-placed Manchester City. The clubs board of directors have set their sights on a return to the Champions League via a top- four finish, but Van Gaal wants to go all the way. “In the Netherlands and also in Germany you have the Christmas champions, he said. “But that doesn’t count at the end of May - then you have to be first. “In Holland and Germany we have a Christmas champion - PSV and Bayern Munich are the Christmas champions. “It’s better to be the Christmas champions, then the possibility you shall be next champion is bigger - but not certain. “But the best achievement is champion (overall) because our goal is still to be champions at the end of the season. “That’s also the best result. We are looking in a football world where No. 1 is the most important thing. “Our goal is to be first. It’s not always so easy, you can see that. “That’s why the board have said that our goal is within the first four places but still, with my players and all the staff, we are trying to achieve more than they expect from us.” United face Newcastle at Old Trafford on Friday as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 1-1 draw with Aston Villa in their last Premier League game.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 10:14:56 +0000
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