United have spent about £150 million this summer as Van Gaal rebuilds his squad with the likes of Di María

Louis van Gaal has been told that he can carry on spending, with Manchester United adamant that another splurge in the transfer market will not compromise the manager’s commitment to blooding young players.

United have spent about £150 million on six new signings this summer, but it emerged last night that Van Gaal has been given the green light to bring in more reinforcements in January as the club seek to limit the risk of another season without Champions League football.

Van Gaal is expected to make an offer for Kevin Strootman, provided the £30 million-rated Roma and Holland midfielder demonstrates signs of a successful recovery from the cruciate ligament injury suffered in March that ruled him out of the World Cup finals in Brazil.