Manchester United transfer news: Louis van Gaal lining up a move for Netherlands midfielder Nigel de Jong

Club have made initial moves for the former Manchester City enforcer, 29

(GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United are lining up a move for Dutch midfield enforcer Nigel de Jong.

New Old Trafford boss Louis van Gaal is a keen admirer of De Jong, who is a key part of his Netherlands World Cup squad.

De Jong is likely to start when the Oranje face Mexico in the Round of 16 later today, having started all three of the group games.

The 29-year-old is currently with Italian giants AC Milan and United have made initial moves to bring De Jong back to Manchester.

He spent three-and-a-half years with rivals City, making almost 150 appearances - he won the FA Cup and Premier League at the Etihad.

Louis van Gaal, who has already moved to bring Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw to Old Trafford, is still keen on a centre-back, believed to be Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels and Bayern Munich's midfield maestro Bastian Schweinsteiger.