Kevin Strootman plays down Roma January exit amid Manchester United rumours

Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman has all but ruled out a January exit from the Seria A giants even though reports in England keep linking him with a move to Manchester United.

The 24-year-old Netherlands international has been constantly linked with the Old Trafford side since Louis van Gaal's arrival, as the Dutch boss knows well the midfielder from his days in charge of the national team.

During the summer, van Gaal himself even admitted he was tracking the Roma star but finally ruled out his signing as he was then still recovering from a cruciate ligament injury he sustained last season.

But since the Dutch international returned to action for the Seria A giants last November, reports have claimed the United boss is set to renew his efforts in securing the Roma star during the January transfer window.

The United boss has been hesitant about whether the club will make any addition during the current transfer window but it is said he is looking for a top centre-back and a midfielder like Strootman, especially after both Daley Blind and Michael Carrick suffered injuries during the first part of the campaign.

Even though Roma have already been knocked out from the Champions League, Strootman has suggested he is likely to remain at his club.

"I've signed up for five years but so far I've only been playing for six or seven months. I want to play and help the team. If I spoke about other clubs that would be disrespectful, and I don't want to do that," Strootman said according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I worked for eight months to come back. I played against Sassuolo and I wasn't good, then I came on against [CSKA] Moscow and wasn't right. After the winter break I've been training with more confidence, I feel better physically and I'm returning to 100 per cent. I'm not there yet, but I'm coming back."

Roma President James Pallota had already recently claimed the Seria A giants are unlikely to sell the star to United this January.

"Strootman will not go to [Manchester] United," Pallotta said. "We have a five-year project and the [new] stadium [which the club has gained approval for] is part of this. I think we're a club built for the Scudetto and the Champions League."