A wise man once said there are three constants in life: death, taxes, and Manchester United being linked with Kevin Strootman.
The Dutch midfielder has seen his name prefaced with the words ‘United target’ more times than he has actually played a game of football in the last few years, with injuries restricting him to fewer than 100 appearances in four years with Roma.
While the origin of the link is debatable, we can say for sure that Strootman was mentioned in connection with the club when Sir Alex Ferguson was still at the helm.
Strootman is the man that United should pursue. Far better than Wanyama. Praying we get him.
— Keano (@ConcerningMUFC) March 28, 2013
Fergie retired in the summer of 2013, but David Moyes was linked with a move for the midfielder after taking charge.
I have confidence in Moyes. I don't know why, but I fell he will bring Baines, Thiago and Strootman. #GoodNight
— Wall- E ! (@zerowalls) June 29, 2013
Convinced signing confirmations – Strootman & Garay, at least – have been held for Moyes to take up post. Will worry if nothing by Tuesday!
— United Fan (@SoccerMouth) June 29, 2013
Strootman chose Roma, of course, but that didn’t stop the links continuing in January of 2014.
Mata’s a great signing and all but United really need a box-to-box midfielder. Someone like Vidal, Gundogan, or Strootman would be perfect.
— Dan Hill (@TheThirstyBee) January 22, 2014
united should go for de rossi, strootman, tiote, modric, cabaye looks to be on his way to psg would be a good signing to.
— Roon (@Josh_Adkins9) January 27, 2014
https://twitter.com/teandbusquets/status/420808313836564481
It wasn’t to be for Moyes, and that should have been that. But then United had to go and appoint a Dutch manager.
And not any Dutch manager – the man who may well have included Strootman in his 2014 World Cup squad were it not for an injury suffered before the tournament.
https://twitter.com/Marchishio_/status/505666484140802048
https://twitter.com/18steve78/status/505864419327627264
£26m for De Jong & Blind. Bargain. LVG defiantly wants Strootman in January if he's not going for William Carvalho now.
— Clarence (@ClarenceEscuell) August 30, 2014
Injuries got in the way, but only for a year, of course.
If LVG remains as Manager and somehow, Strootman overcomes his injury, fav this, we'll do a Bayern- Strootman in, Carrick to the US.
— Agent Izuchukwu A 🦅 (@D_WarEagle) July 17, 2015
https://twitter.com/PogMkhiZlat/status/628648752006475776
If Strootman can stay fit the whole season, I bet LVG will buy him. Just for the sake of it.
— Nicole (@NickiDupre) July 17, 2015
We got a bit of a hiatus last summer, with Strootman’s fitness worries and the #PogBack train meaning United eyes were elsewhere.
However, with Pogba enduring an inconsistent first season back at Old Trafford, some have suggested he lacks the ideal midfield partner.
And, would you have it, a certain Dutch midfielder has finally got a run of games together and shown the sort of form that might have the likes of Manchester United sniffing around.
That’s right, according to Metro, who cite reports from Italy, Jose Mourinho wants Strootman to come in and act as the foil for his £89m midfielder.
If you think you’ve heard it all before, it’s because you have. But could it be for real this time?
