Roma president James Pallotta has stated categorically that Kevin Strootman will not join Manchester United in January.
Strootman played for United manager Louis van Gaal when he was in charge of the Dutch national team, and Old Trafford sources recently told ESPN FC they were hopeful they will be able to sign the former PSV Eindhoven player in the winter transfer window, despite Roma's claims to the contrary.
FIFA agent Matteo Materazzi also said this week that he believes United are closing in on the player, telling RAI: "Manchester United are one step away from Kevin Strootman. The British club will pay 40 million euros for the Dutchman."
However, Pallotta insisted Strootman, who only recently returned to first-team football after nine months out because of a cruciate ligament injury, is vital for Roma and will not be sold.
"We'd be first in the league if it wasn't for the injuries to [Leandro] Castan and Strootman," Pallotta told Roma Radio, according to Calcio Mercato. "Strootman will not go to United."
He added: "[Jose] Holebas and [Kostas] Manolas are integrating, and we're convinced that we'll fight for the Champions League.
"We have a five-year project and the [new] stadium [which will be built] is part of this. I think we're a club built for the scudetto and the Champions League."
United chief executive Ed Woodward has said that the former Premier League champions, who spent 152 million pounds last summer, will only spend in January if their long-term targets become available, rather than paying out for short-term fixes.