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Is Van Gaal set to bring in a fellow Dutchman as his first signing for Manchester United?

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Feyenoord defender Stefan De Vrij has been linked with a move to Manchester United and could become Louis Van Gaal’s first signing.

Manchester United have this season said goodbye to two defensive stalwarts who have been instrumental in the club’s success in the past decade. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have both departed and United are in need of replacements.

Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have failed to progress quite as much as what was hoped although Jonny Evans has become an important player in the last couple of years. Either way Louis Van Gaal has a huge rebuilding job to do, and it will include a few defenders.

The Express have reported that Manchester United are plotting a late move for Stefan De Vrij who was close to sealing a move from Feyenoord to Lazio. De Vrij is set for a big summer in the World Cup with The Netherlands and was recently handed the captain’s armband for the friendly against Ecuador. Van Gaal will be working closely with the defender for the next six weeks so has the perfect opportunity to try and convince him to move to Old Trafford.

De Vrij has plenty of suitors with Liverpool, Arsenal, Everton and Newcastle United thought to be interested in the centre-back as well. Following Van Gaal’s decision to give the captaincy to De Vrij during the game and Robin Van Persie on a permanent basis he saidI think you always make a player captain when you have the same morals and philosophy.Not only about football and tactics and what is happening on the pitch but about life.”

Those comments bode well for RVP who could well become the new club captain of Manchester United. It also shows he has a lot of faith in De Vrij who. The defender is only 22-years-old but already has a lot of experience having played over 150 games for his one and only club Feyenoord. He also has nine caps for his country, all of which have come under Van Gaal.

De Vrij isn’t the only Feyenoord player to be linked with United, as 22-year-old Jordy Clasie has also been mentioned.