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Incoming Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal was always going to be linked with moves for a few Dutch players. So far, he's been linked to Daley Blind, to Nigel De Jong, and to Stefan De Vrij. It's hardly surprising given his current role as manager of the Dutch side, one that has surprised this summer at the World Cup and will face Costa Rica on Saturday.
What is surprising is the latest name added to the list: Dirk Kuyt. The 33-year-old workhorse will be familiar to all Liverpool fans, and there's a case to be made that Kenny Dalglish's biggest mistake in his second spell as manager was moving Kuyt to the bench and playing a young and inexperienced Jordan Henderson out of position in his place.
Following his demotion from guaranteed starter to substitute, Kuyt left for Fenerbahce in the summer of 2012, two days after Brendan Rodgers arrived at the club. As he has shown for the Netherlands in Brazil this summer, he's still capable of making an impact as a flexible squad player, and a familiar face to add depth for van Gaal at United is hardly the craziest thought.
The thought of Kuyt, a cult hero from his days at Liverpool who still speaks highly of the club, becoming that flexible squad player, though, is more than a touch distasteful. Which makes is good that it's only the lowest of the low in the land of rumour mongering seriously suggesting it. Still, it's a thing that's out there, and it's not a great deal of fun regardless.
