Manchester United eye Lars Bender transfer after Kevin Strootman injury forces them to look elsewhere

The Germany midfielder has shot up LvG's wanted list after his No. 1 target broke down again

 

Knows his Lars from his elbow: Bender is now a top United objective

Lars Bender is now a target for Louis van Gaal, writes Neil Moxley in the Sunday People, after Kevin Strootman’s latest injury setback.
Germany star Bender is on the Manchester United radar ­following a ­recurrence of knee problems for Roma’s Dutch midfielder Strootman.
But Old Trafford’s Van Gaal will have to go head-to-head with Arsenal , as boss Arsene Wenger has been a long-term fan of Bender and United’s move will be a serious blow to the London club in their hunt for a defensive midfielder.
United’s chief scout Jim Lawlor was at last week’s Champions League clash between Bender’s Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid. And United again had their top spies at the game with Freiburg.
Former PSV midfielder Strootman, 25, is a long-standing target of Van Gaal’s but has been sidelined since last March after rupturing ligaments in his left knee.

Stroot of contention: Kevin was Van Gaal's priority, but can't get fit

Last month he broke down again – and although he has said he remains on course to begin playing again in the summer – United are looking for insurance.
Leverkusen are able to sell Bender this summer as they have cover themselves in the shape of Christoph Kramer.
They loaned Kramer to Borussia Moenchengladbach this season and will take him back, leaving them free to sell 25-year-old Bender.