Van Gaal sees countryman as lynchpin to new tactical system.
Manchester United still see AS Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman as their primary summer target in midfield despite recent knee surgery.
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Louis van Gaal has instructed United scouts to monitor the situation of his fellow countryman in his recovery from the recent operation.
Strootman is still van Gaal’s first choice for the summer reports the Daily Mirror and he sees the Roma man as the key to playing his favoured 4-3-3 formation that he has been reluctant to enforce so far in his reign with the Red Devils.
The 24 year old has had a bad few months on the injury front after missing the 2014 World Cup finals through ligament damage and is expected out for the next six weeks after suffering more severe knee cartilage damage than first thought.
Van Gaal, though, is prepared to wait and see if Strootman can regain his fitness after going under the knife of renowned Dutch surgeon Niek van Dijk.
The United boss has a history of committing to his plans after giving Strootman as much time as possible to prove his fitness for the World Cup.
The Roma man couldn’t get fit in time for the tournament and his absence saw van Gaal develop the 3-5-2 formation he has attempted to employ at Old Trafford.