Roma coach Rudi Garcia hopes one Manchester club is going to see Kevin Strootman on the pitch with them in December, albeit in opposition.
The other half of Manchester should shelve their dreams of seeing him wear their colours, on the other hand, with Garcia insisting the Netherlands midfielder, who has been out of action since March, is still a fundamental resource for his club.
A return to action for the Champions League clash with Manchester City on Dec. 10 has been pencilled in while United and former Dutch coach Louis van Gaal continue to be linked with a move for the 24-year-old.
"Strootman's an important player for us and I hope to have him available for the game at home to City," Garcia said at a news conference in Manchester on Tuesday night.
"He's a top quality midfielder and we're all really looking forward to having him back. We hope he comes back soon."
Strootman played 29 games and scored six goals for Roma before tearing knee ligaments in March, an injury which also ruled him out of the World Cup.
Although he has not been close to a football field in six months, United are still targeting the midfielder this winter.
However, Garcia does not expect him to leave, even though such a decision is not ultimately his to make.
"You'll have to ask our president," Garcia said. "But the club's intentions are very clear."