Defender Stefan De Vrij dismisses links with Manchester United – “I want to win with Lazio”.
The Dutch international has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in the past, but has told Il Messaggero that he intends to stay in Rome.
“I’m often linked with Manchester United because I’m Dutch and [Louis] Van Gaal is there,” De Vrij explained.
“However, I want to win with Lazio. We had a tough start, but we came back strong and now we’re moving up the table.
Defender Stefan De Vrij dismisses links with Manchester United – “I want to win with Lazio”.
The Dutch international has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in the past, but has told Il Messaggero that he intends to stay in Rome.
“I’m often linked with Manchester United because I’m Dutch and [Louis] Van Gaal is there,” De Vrij explained.
“However, I want to win with Lazio. We had a tough start, but we came back strong and now we’re moving up the table.
“The play-off for the Champions League [against Bayer Leverkusen] was a bitter pill to swallow, to go out immediately was a big disappointment.
“Leverkusen were stronger though, and had more experience, they play in Europe every year.
“I want to win something here, we’ve had two opportunities which we didn't take [the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa finals], but now we’re stronger than last year.
“I’m not going to say the word ‘Scudetto’, but those we stayed already know each other very well, and the squad has been reinforced.”
De Vrij has been absent since the last international break after suffering a knee injury playing for the Netherlands, but the centre-back is nearing a return.
“I’m recovering, next week I’ll be back with the team. I hope to be involved against Sassuolo.
“I came to Holland without any problem. I was fit when I left Rome, but I’d played four games in two weeks.
“Maybe I was a bit tired, because I hadn’t played in pre-season, not even in a friendly. Against Iceland I didn’t feel any discomfort for the 90 minutes.
“There was a bit of inflammation after the match though. The next day the swelling was gone, and the doctors gave me the OK, because there was nothing to worry about.
“The fitness test ahead of the Turkey match went well and then…”
De Vrij is part of a Dutch continent for the Aquile, alongside Wesley Hoedt, Edson Braafheid and Ricardo Kishna, and he has been helping his compatriots settle.
“I spoke with Wesley before he came to Lazio,” De Vrij explained.
“I explained the little secrets of the Italian language to him, he’s a quick learner. Kishna is very young and very good.”