Roo happy on centre stage

MANCHESTER United boss Louis van Gaal will make signing a creative midfielder his top priority this summer.

Van Gaal, preparing his team for tonight’s FA Cup tie at Preston, has spent more than £150million on seven new players since he took charge of Manchester United just over seven months ago, but he is still not happy with the squad at his disposal.

Angel di Maria, Daley Blind and Ander Herrera accounted for over two thirds of United's spending spree last year, but Van Gaal thinks he still lacks a dynamic midfielder to dictate play.

The lack of such a figure in the current United squad has led the Dutchman to deploy Wayne Rooney in midfield.

While Rooney is happy in that position according to Van Gaal, there is a feeling the England captain is a stop–gap.

When asked whether he was playing Rooney there because he felt no–one else was capable of fulfilling that midfield role, Van Gaal said: "Of course that's the case. I'm looking for balance and I need it in midfield.

Roma's Kevin Strootman fits the bill perfectly. The midfielder was a regular in Van Gaal's Holland team until he suffered a knee injury. In an uncharacteristic move, Van Gaal last year declared his interest in signing the 25 year old once his injury problems were over.

Strootman recently suffered another setback which will keep him out until the end of the season, but a summer move isn’t out of the question.