Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Thomas Muller and Radamel Falcao Rumours

Thomas Muller has told his agent to expedite a move away from Bayern Munich, with reports suggesting that the versatile forward is keen on a change of scenery. That’s according to rumours (h/t Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star) that claim the news has put Manchester United and Louis van Gaal on "red alert."

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The 25-year-old was handed his debut with the German giants by Van Gaal during his stint as manager in Bavaria, and the affinity between the two is well-known. If reports are to be believed, the Dutchman will be hoping to use that relationship to lure Muller to Old Trafford.

It’s something the player himself touched upon earlier in the season, insisting he was happy with Bayern, per Malata's aforementioned piece:

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It's no secret that Louis van Gaal and I have a relationship that goes a little beyond the normal relationship between coaches and players.

[But] I have a contract with Bayern Munich until summer 2017.

"

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

On the face of things, Muller may not be an ideal fit for Pep Guardiola’s Bayern side. In terms of technical ability, the German international doesn’t really stand out, and his playing style is not particularly aesthetic, either. But what he is capable of is conjuring space in tight situations and scoring vital goals at key times in matches.

Here are the kinds of qualities he would bring to this Red Devils lineup:

Muller gives this Bayern team a raw edge, and it’d be a major surprise to see the German champions let him go. He’s a crucial member of the squad whose energy and versatility make him so valuable in many different situations; even if he doesn’t fit seamlessly into Guardiola’s principles, Bayern won’t be selling the forward anytime soon.

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Indeed, Sport Witness doesn’t feel as though the source behind these rumours is particularly reliable:

Naturally, Muller would be a fine acquisition for United if he was to eventually leave the German champions, and Van Gaal’s pulling power would surely make them a viable candidate to get him on board.

It also looks as though the Red Devils could be on the lookout for another centre-forward come the end of the season. Reports are suggesting Radamel Falcao’s future at Old Trafford remains uncertain.

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According to Ian Ladyman of The Daily Mail, the Colombian striker was “stunned” after being dropped by Van Gaal for United’s recent Premier League game with Southampton, and the omission has yielded questions aplenty regarding the player's long-term future. 

Ladyman went on to elaborate on the predicament the 28-year-old currently finds himself in:

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Falcao has been doing voluntary extra training at United after recovering from a calf injury that interrupted his progress in late autumn and is trying to turn himself in to a more rounded forward in the mould of captain Wayne Rooney.

Despite this, the Colombian international believes that he sometimes has to do twice as much as other players to convince Van Gaal of his worth and was particularly bemused in late November to hear his manager say repeatedly that he had to get fully match fit before he could return to the team.

"

Bleacher Report's Alex Dimond takes a look at the rest of the latest gossip surrounding the Old Trafford outfit:

The former Atletico Madrid man has showcased glimpses of his outstanding goalscoring instincts since joining United, but after such a substantial injury layoff, it’s understandable he still looks a little short of peak sharpness. What he needs is a sustained run of games to get his fitness up, and over time, he’d surely get better and better.

Here's what the man known as El Tigre can offer at his very best:

Instead, Van Gaal used the blisteringly quick Angel Di Maria—typically a central midfielder—as an orthodox centre-forward and, as noted here by Sam Pilger of FourFourTwo, lack of pace in advanced areas is clearly a major concern for the Dutch boss:

Forming a partnership with a player would also be beneficial to the Colombian’s cause, as noted here by football writer Rich Laverty:

With an array of attacking riches at his disposal, it’s little surprise to see Van Gaal rotating his options in that particular area of the pitch, but from Falcao’s perspective, getting time in the game is absolutely vital to him accruing his very best levels. Whether he gets that luxury at United with an uncompromising manager like Van Gaal at the helm remains to be seen.