Bastian Schweinsteiger agrees to join Manchester United

Bastian Schweinsteiger has agreed to join Manchester United in a spectacular coup for manager Louis van Gaal.

It is understood the Germany midfielder's relationship with Van Gaal was a major factor behind his decision to accept United's offer of a contract believed to be worth £7.2m a year over three years, the same as his current deal with Bayern.

According to German daily BILD, the 30-year-old has informed Bayern bosses of his intention to join United and is on standby to fly to Manchester to complete the formalities of a medical and signing the papers.

All that remains to be resolved is the fee, with Bayern understood to be looking for upwards of £15million but United viewing that as excessive for a player of his age with just 12 months left on his Allianz Arena deal.

However, after starting out at Bayern as a raw teenager 17 years ago and giving them sterling service in between, the Bundesliga champions will not stand in his way and are ready to negotiate a compromise figure.

United have pursued the vastly experienced midfielder for several weeks, but optimism was beginning to wane after suggestions he would end up accepting Bayern's offer of a new two-year contract.

Credit: John Edwards/SportsMail