Manchester United Transfer News: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Angel Di Maria Warnings

Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer has had his say on the summer's transfer rumours, including Bastian Schweinsteiger's potential departure from the Allianz Arena to Old Trafford.   

Schweinsteiger has been touted as a potential target for Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal as he looks to bolster his squad for a title challenge next season, per Simon Stone of BBC Sport.

The 30-year-old Germany captain made only 15 starts for Bayern under boss Pep Guardiola last season and has one year left on his contract with the Bundesliga champions, per WhoScored.com.

He could be persuaded away to Manchester by the promise of regular first-team football and the chance to link up again with former boss Van Gaal.

However, Beckenbauer—who joined the New York Cosmos late in his career after many successful years at Bayern—has advised Schweinsteiger to stay on in Munich and perhaps move on to Major League Soccer in a couple of years time, per Sky Sports:

"

I would advise him not to go to England. He can stay here as well. This challenge, at his age, it’s not what he needs. I would play one or two more years in Munich, at this high level. And then, if he still wants to and if he still feels like playing football is the thing, he can make a step back and maybe go to the USA. In New York, Cosmos is searching for players, also Red Bull. So I think if he, as a world champion, goes to New York or another club in the Major League Soccer, that would greatly improve the standing of football there.

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As noted by the Sunday Times' Jonathan Northcroft, Schweinsteiger would be a brilliant addition at United, bringing solidity and panache to the centre of their midfield:

Beckenbauer's comments will likely not be welcomed by United's hierarchy if their interest in Schweinsteiger is genuine.

However, Sky Germany's Jan Aage Fjortoft reports that the German has no desire to leave Bayern anyway, thus United's attempts to sign him could well be in vain.

Indeed, former United defender Rio Ferdinand floats the idea that Schweinsteiger may be using the Red Devils links to strengthen his position over renewed contract negotiations with Bayern:

A potential rumoured scenario in which Bayern might sell Schweinsteiger saw United winger Angel Di Maria going the other way in a player-plus-cash deal, per German outlet SportBild (h/t Alex Harris of the Daily Star).

Di Maria could be a fine alternative for the oft-injured Franck Ribery, but Beckenbauer does not see the Argentinian as a like-for-like replacement, per the Sky Sports report:

"

I think that nobody can replace Ribery and his way of playing football. Di Maria is more of an offensive midfielder in the centre. I do not think he's a real winger. I don't know the plans of Pep Guardiola or Matthias Sammer who are responsible for that. But I am convinced that Bayern will have a strong team next season.

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As with last summer, Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson is expecting the Red Devils to be very active in the coming transfer window:

Despite his age, Schweinsteiger would be a marquee signing for the Red Devils, and he would be unlikely to break the bank with his contract nearing an end at Bayern.

However, the German may well heed the advice of Beckenbauer and stay put in Munich, in which case United will need to look elsewhere as they aim to strengthen their midfield.