Man Utd put on red alert as Bayern prepare to bin midfielder
Published:He may be loved by the Allianz Arena fans and Die Mannschaft’s faithful, but reports from the continent suggest that Pep Guardiola will attempt to sell midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger this summer.
Respected Spain-based Scottish football writer Graham Hunter has been quoted stating:
“Pep Guardiola does want to move Schweinsteiger on… He feels Schweinsteiger doesn’t move the ball quickly enough for the brand of football he’s trying to impliment.”
Thiago Alcantara, Toni Kroos, Phillip Lahm and Javi Martinez are all competing with ‘Schweini’ for the two central-midfield spots at FCB, so the supposed decision to sell the 29-year-old – who would command a sizeable fee with two years remaining on his contract – will hardly cripple the Bundesliga champions.
Schweinsteiger’s availability would prompt a wealth of potential suitors to consult their lending institutions ahead of a bid, with Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal thought to be particularly keen for a reunion with his old charge.
The 101-cap Germany international, who is expected to play a prominent role in his side’s 5/1 bid for a fourth World Cup in Brazil, excelled under the ‘Iron Tulip’ during Van Gaal’s two-season reign at the Allianz.
United’s new boss moved Schweinsteiger deeper into midfield than the number 10 spot he used to operate in with startling success, as Bayern regained the Bundesliga title in 2009/10 after a year off top spot and doubled up with the German Cup, before missing out on a treble when losing to Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
Since Van Gaal left, the Bavarian has gone on to pick up two more German titles and cups, as well as the Champions League in 2012/13, after losing another final to Chelsea the previous season.
His attacking instincts may have been curbed by the veteran coach, but Schweinsteiger has still bagged 11 goals in the Bundesliga over the past two seasons, which is three more than teammate and fellow mooted Old Trafford target Kroos.
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