Manchester United are again being linked with a January move for AS Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman.
Despite Roma's insistence that Strootman is not for sale, United could make a bid in January if he proves his fitness between now and then, says the London Evening Standard.
Van Gaal has made his admiration of the midfielder known for some time.
This summer, shortly before taking charge at Old Trafford, he commented: "Other players, not at Manchester United, I can't judge - I am not there.
"Strootman I can judge, but he has been injured for more than six months. "We have to wait and see how he comes back. It's not so easy to come back out of an injury, so we'll wait and see."
