Man Utd eye Louis van Gaal transfer target as Mason Greenwood development 'expected'

Posted Wednesday, January 03, 2024 by Express.co.uk

Manchester United could go back to a Louis van Gaal transfer target this month, with a potential Mason Greenwood update on the way.

Manchester United have included Thomas Muller on their shortlist as Erik ten Hag searches for a short-term striker solution in the January transfer window, according to reports. The Bayern Munich frontman has been courted by United before, under the influence of another Dutchman, Louis van Gaal.

Ten Hag has made a new striker his transfer priority this month after a toothless first half of the season, in which his side scored just 21 goals in 19 Premier League games.

Only 19th and 20th-placed sides Burnley and Sheffield United have netted less than United in the English top flight this term.

Rasmus Hojlund has shown glimpses of class since his £72million arrival from Atalanta in the summer, scoring five goals in the Champions League group stage. But he has just one league strike to his name.

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford is out of form, and Anthony Martial seems destined for the exit door in 2024.

It has left Ten Hag once again scrambling for a short-term fix this winter, with United cash-strapped due to another summer of heavy spending.

Man Utd eye Louis van Gaal transfer target as Mason Greenwood development 'expected'
Man Utd are interested in Thomas Muller. (Image: Getty)

According to The Athletic, United have monitored Muller, who is no longer a regular starter for Bayern after the emergence of Jamal Musiala and Harry Kane's arrival.

The 34-year-old penned a contract extension until the summer of 2025 in December but could be allowed to leave on loan for the second half of the campaign.

Muller had the chance to join United during Van Gaal's reign between 2014 and 2016 before Bayern rejected an "insane" offer reportedly worth around £80million for his services.

"Bayern clearly rejected the whole thing - despite this insane offer from United. [But it was a] huge vote of confidence from Bayern," Muller told Merkur in 2022.

It's been almost eight years since Van Gaal departed Old Trafford. United still reportedly targeting Muller is a damning indicator of the club's trajectory.

Man Utd eye Louis van Gaal transfer target as Mason Greenwood development 'expected'
Louis van Gaal wanted Thomas Muller at Man Utd. (Image: Getty)

Muller's team-mate, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, is also said to be on United's radar after being reduced to a substitute role this term.

The report adds that contact has been made to learn the potential cost of recruiting RB Leipzig's Timo Werner, who was of interest before his unsuccessful switch to Chelsea in 2020.

Stuttgart's Serhou Guirassy - who has scored 17 goals in 14 Bundesliga games - is also claimed to appear on United's shortlist. He has an affordable release clause worth £15.2m this month.

Meanwhile, Mason Greenwood will reportedly be the subject of talks this month as United ponder the 22-year-old forward's future.