Manchester United eyes German legend Bastian Schweinsteiger

Manchester United are exploring the possibility of a summer move for German legend Bastian Schweinsteiger.

United manager Louis van Gaal believes the Bayern Munich midfielder would bring experience and European know-how to the centre of his team’s midfield.

It is understood that talks have already taken place last month between United and go-betweens and that the Germany international would be open to a move.

Schweinsteiger and Van Gaal worked together at Munich when the Dutch coach was in charge of the Bundesliga club and developed a close relationship.

The current United manager knows that the player is the wrong side of the club’s targeted age range for new players but has spoken to chief executive Ed Woodward and both agree that Schweinsteiger is good enough to make an exception.

With a year left on his current deal at Bayern, Schweinsteiger could be available for less than £10million. He would demand high wages and there would be little sell-on value. However, Van Gaal believes he would bring enough to his squad to make the investment worthwhile.

United are desperately short of firepower in the middle of the field and are fundamentally in need of a player to bring them authority and presence. Van Gaal is a fan of Michael Carrick but the England midfielder is beginning to suffer with injuries.

It remains to be seen if United will prioritise Schweinsteiger or pursue other, younger targets first. They know that Bayern will prove tricky to deal with as they do not like to sell to traditional European rivals.

Credit: Ian Ladyman/SportsMail