Jamie Ireland
Louis van Gaal pulled the plug on the pursuits of Fabregas and Kroos, as he targets another former player of his, Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger.
The Daily Mail report that the new Manchester United manager was not interested in the clubs two main midfield targets, Cesc Fabregas and Toni Kroos.
He instead has turned his attention to AS Roma’s Kevin Strootman and German international Bastian Schweinsteiger, who is rumoured to be looking for a new challenge.
Having played under van Gaal during his spell as Bayern manager, he knows the Dutchman well and that could entice him to link up with his former boss in Manchester.
Schweinsteiger has suffered with injuries again this season, having made only 15 starts in the Bundesliga, scoring four goals and providing four assists (Squawka).
There are concerns at Bayern over his fitness and whether the injuries will continue to worsen into his thirties, meaning the Bundesliga champions may listen to offers.
For the player this could be his last chance to leave Munich and play football at the top level in another country and having won everything there is to offer in Germany, he may consider it.
As for Guardiola, if his time as Barcelona manager showed anything, it is that nobody is above being sold. As Ronaldinho and Deco found out the hard way.
If Manchester United were to get both of van Gaal’s midfield targets and kept the German fit, imagine that midfield trio. Strootman and Schweinsteiger with Rooney in the number 10 role.
With those three supplying Robin van Persie upfront, United would certainly be threat to any defence in England next season.
