The Holland international has impressed in Rotterdam again this season and was always likely to move this summer, but a switch to Lazio stalled when his representatives got wind that his international manager, van Gaal, may be interested in making him part of the Oranje revolution at Old Trafford.
As it is, the 62-year-old has declined the opportunity to pick up the man he handed the Dutch armband to for the first time last week as a young Netherlands side drew with Ecuador.
De Vrij agreed personal terms with Serie A giants Lazio last week but the deal has been delayed as his camp waited for a response from Manchester United.
With van Gaal now opting against a move for the 22-year-old centre-back, he is likely to join the Roman club on a long-term deal coming over the weekend.
Written by Steve Milne
