Injury rules Nigel de Jong out of World Cup and throws Man Utd move in doubt
MANCHESTER UNITED target Nigel de Jong will miss the rest of the World Cup through injury.
The midfield destroyer limped off in the ninth minute against Mexico on Sunday with a groin complaint which has prematurely ended his participation in the tournament.
De Jong's injury, which could sideline him for up to four weeks, will come as a double blow to Louis van Gaal who is looking to sign the AC Milan midfielder for the Old Trafford outfit.
The Dutch FA posted on Twitter: “Nigel de Jong has a tear in his groin muscle. He’s probably out for two to four weeks. De Jong continues rehabilitation with #Orange.”
Transfer Zone - Tuesday 1 July
It’s a hard blow for us that Nigel has been injured
Winger Arjen Robben, engulfed in a diving storm, accepted that de Jong's injury will affect Holland.
Arjen Robben: “It’s a hard blow for us that Nigel has been injured. The possible absence of de Jong in the quarter-finals is a heavy loss.
“But our strength is that every player who comes off the bench on to the pitch manages to have a big impact on the match.
“The confidence within our team is very big, in spite of any absence.”