Is This Dutchman The Perfect Heir To The Void Left Behind By Roy Keane At Manchester United?

With Manchester United set to appoint a new manager in the not too distant future, speculation is rife about the players that are going to be signed. From Muller to Reus to Shaw, a whole host of players have been linked with a move to Old Trafford. One name is constantly mentioned in the rumor mills is Roma’s central midfielder Kevin Strootman.

The 24-year-old Dutchman has had a sparkling start to life in Italy and would certainly fill the huge void in central midfield. Here are three reasons why Strootman would be a perfect at Manchester United.

He is a box-to-box midfielder and a very good one at that

In an age where false Number 9’s and trequartista’s hold all the cards, the “box-to-box” midfielder is a very rare specimen. One of the problems is that very few players have the energy to bust their gut and be in both boxes. And those that do have the energy, do not have the skill to be of use in both boxes.

But, Kevin Strootman is a very rare specimen in that not only is he a box-to-box midfielder, he is a complete one. Not only is he capable of making interceptions at the back and nipping attacks at the bud, his ability to stride forward and pick out a team-mate with consummate ease is a quality that is often missed my many. His anticipation, intelligence and attacking quality means that the Dutchman might well fill the Roy Keane shaped hole in the center of Manchester United’s midfield.

Strootman is a natural born leader

With Nemanja Vidic leaving, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra likely to join him out of the club and Giggs’ playing career seemingly coming to an end, the number of leaders in the squad next season is likely to be at an all-time low. Whilst leadership cannot be measured by stats, it is nevertheless an integral part of any squad.

For, the need for a leader, when your side are 1-0 down going into the final few minutes cannot be undermined. And Strootman’s natural born leadership qualities should augur well for the Dutchman in a United squad that are in need of leaders. Strootman’s ability to adapt and organize not just himself, but his midfield as well, according to the opposition is a quality very few midfielders possess. And that coupled with his ability on and off the ball make him a perfect fit at Old Trafford.

Gives the team a tactical flexibility

Although Strootman has mostly been played as a defensive midfielder at both Roma and his previous club PSV Eindhoven, he is more versatile than people give him credit for. Not only does he have strength and fantastic anticipation that enables him to break down attacks at the back, he also has the intelligence to pick a pass and shoot, something United midfielders haven’t been doing at all this season.

Having started his career as an attacking midfielder, his passing and shooting are much better than the current crop of United’s midfielders. Whether it is being at the right place at the right time to score a goal or intercept a through ball, Strootman can do it. And it is this quality that gives his manager a tactical flexibility.

For the Dutchman is one of the very few midfielders, who can play as a deep-lying playmaker ala Pirlo, defensive midfielder, and even as an attacking midfielder in mould of Mata and Kagawa. He can play as the lone man in midfield, play as one of the two central midfielders in a 4-4-2 and play at the tip of the midfield in a 4-2-3-1. And it is this tactical flexibility that makes him an easy choice for Manchester United as they look for more midfield options.