Thomas Muller to Man United story sees Schweinsteiger reflect on how Van Gaal “really” wanted him

Bastian Schweinsteiger thinks former teammate Thomas Muller should consider a move away from Bayern Munich.

The German midfielder has only played 90 minutes twice this season and is being linked with Manchester United by German news outlet Bild, a move that would seem to have Schweinsteiger’s approval.

Should Muller leave Bayern for Man United? Five things to know…

• Bayern say they do not want to sell Muller in January.
• However, last month, Muller publicly stated he may have to consider his position.
• Although the 30-year-old made his 500th appearance for the club at the weekend…
• He has started just half of their Bundesliga games this season…
• … while playing the full 90 minutes in only two of his 15 appearances across all competitions.
• Former Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has suggested a ‘change of scenery’ could be good for Muller.

Clearly still able to play at the highest level, Muller has been directly involved in eight goals while playing reduced minutes this season under recently-dismissed coach Niko Kovac.

Muller has always attracted transfer interest and Bastian Schweinsteiger has confirmed Louis van Gaal was especially eager to sign the German during his time at Manchester United.

“[Louis] van Gaal really wanted him,” he told Bild am Sonntag.

“He was always asking me, ‘What’s your friend Thomas doing?’

“He would have done us good at United back then. But Thomas was a bit younger, he did not want to leave Munich. Maybe that has changed in the meantime.”

Muller’s former teammate also reflected that being wanted by the manager was a big draw in his move to Old Trafford in 2015 and suggested a change of scenery could be a good move for the 30-year-old.

Schweinsteiger added: “His situation is different to mine back then. I was playing every game, then Van Gaal contacted me, I wanted to try something new.

“Thomas has often been on the bench lately. A change of scenery could do him good at the end of his career. He still has great quality.”

Subscribe to Squawka’s Youtube channel here.

Manchester United have only managed 13 goals in their 11 Premier League matches so far this season, the eighth-poorest record in the English top flight.

Signing a player of Muller’s pedigree could remedy this. The player himself possesses the kind of experience and know-how that would benefit likes of Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood.

Muller’s age makes the signing more of a risk, however. And despite notching four assists across his five Bundesliga starts this season, Muller is yet to open his goal-scoring account. United have taken the fourth-most shots per game (13.9) in the Premier League but have thus far been able to convert those efforts into goals.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are in action against Brighton this weekend and will be looking for only their second win in the last six games.